Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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Apologies have been received from Deputies Kenny and Healy-Rae and Senators Brady and Lynch. Before we begin, I wish to bring to the committee's attention that 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 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 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 giving evidence from a location outside the parliamentary precincts are asked to note they may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as witnesses giving evidence from within the parliamentary precincts 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.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that members should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. Parliamentary privilege is considered to apply to the utterances of members participating online in a committee meeting when their participation is from within the parliamentary precincts. Members may not participate online in a public meeting from outside the parliamentary precincts. Any attempt to do so will result in the member having their online access removed.

Tá fáilte roimh na finnéithe chuig ár gcéad chruinniú poiblí tar éis an tsamhraidh. The agenda for our first session today is to examine the nitrates derogation. We have one hour and 15 minutes for this discussion. The committee will hear from the following officials from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Mr. Bill Callanan, chief inspector; Mr. Ted Massey; senior inspector; and Dr. Daire Ó hUallacháin, principal officer and ecologist. The opening statements have been circulated to members. I will allow five minutes for the witnesses to read their opening statement into the record, or they can take two minutes to give a brief synopsis of it. We will then proceed to questions.