Conor McGuinness (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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Maidin mhaith gach éinne, fáilte romhaibh go dtí an cruinniú choiste seo.

I have no apologies and no substitutions for this meeting. The clerk to the committee will bring in the witnesses now and I will provide the privilege information required for each meeting once they are in the room. I advise members of the constitutional requirement that members must be physically present within the confines of the Leinster House complex in order to participate in public meetings. I will not permit a member to participate where they are not adhering to that Constitutional requirement. Therefore, a member who attempts to participate from outside the precinct will be asked to leave the meeting. In this regard, I ask any member partaking via Microsoft Teams that, prior to making their contribution to the meeting, they confirm they are on the grounds of the Leinster House campus.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name, or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks and it is imperative they comply with any such direction.

I do not think we have anyone joining us online at this point.

I will make the following statement, advising on privilege, for the benefit of our witnesses. Witnesses giving evidence from within the parliamentary precincts are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they give to the committee. This means a witness has a full defence in any defamation action for anything said at a committee meeting. However, witnesses are expected not to abuse this privilege and may be directed to cease giving evidence on an issue at the Chair's direction. Witnesses should follow the direction of the Chair in this regard. They are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that, as is reasonable, no adverse commentary should be made against an identifiable third person or entity. Witnesses who are to give evidence from a location outside the parliamentary precincts - I do not believe we have any today - are asked to note that they may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as a witness giving evidence from within the parliamentary precincts. They may consider it appropriate to take legal advice on this matter. Privilege against defamation does not apply to publication by witnesses outside of the proceedings held by the committee of any matters arising from the proceedings.

We will proceed to our agenda, the first item of which is engagement with Bord Iascaigh Mhara, BIM, and discussion of The Business of Seafood 2024 report. The committee will hear from the following BIM officials: Ms Caroline Bocquel, chief executive officer; Dr. Emmet Jackson, director of economic and strategic services; and Mr. Richard Donnelly, director of development and innovation services. The witnesses' opening statement has been forwarded to members. I will allow the CEO five minutes to read the opening statement or if she prefers, as it has been circulated, she can give a shorter synopsis. We will then proceed to questions and answers.

I piloted the five-minute slot at our previous meeting. It was a little tight so we might go for ten minutes. I ask members to bear in mind that the ten-minute period I will give each of them has to include time for a response. We will try to do a couple of rounds, if we can at all, but I ask them to keep an eye on the clock and leave time for a response when they make their question or comment.

I call the chief executive. The floor is hers.