Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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Witnesses giving evidence from within the parliamentary precinct are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they give to the committee. This means that a witness has a full defence in any defamation action for anything said at the 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 discretion. Witnesses should follow the direction of the Chair in this regard and 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 precinct are asked to note they may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as a witness giving evidence from within the parliamentary precinct and may consider it appropriate to take legal advice on the matter. Privilege against defamation does not apply to the publication by witnesses outside of the proceedings held by the committee of any matters arising from the proceedings.

The witnesses are very welcome. On the agenda is farmer mental health and well-being, and we will hear from officials from several representative groups. From Teagasc we are joined by Professor John McNamara and Dr. David Meredith, and from the Irish Farmers Association we are joined by Ms Alice Doyle, Ms Teresa Roche and Claire McGlynn. Tá fáilte romhaibh anseo. Their submissions have been circulated among members and will be taken as read. I shall give each group two minutes to make an opening statement, after which members will have an opportunity to ask questions. The Senators have had to go away to vote but we are expecting to have all the members present in a little while. We will take a group of questions and when the witnesses have taken the opportunity to answer them, we will move on to another group. I call the representatives from the IFA and Teagasc, in that order, to make their opening statements.