Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

No apologies have been received. I bring to attendees' 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 that a witness has a full defence on 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 direction. 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 precincts 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 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 in the meeting 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 either 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 the committee meeting where their participation is from within the parliamentary precincts. Members may not participate online in a public meeting from outside the parliamentary precincts and any attempt to do so will result in the member having their online access removed.

The agenda for our first session today is the current challenges facing the tillage industry. The committee will hear from a number of representative groups. I welcome from the Irish Grain Growers Group: Mr. James Kelly, president; Mr. Clive Carter, co-secretary; and Mr. Bobby Miller, co-secretary; from the Irish Farmers Association: Mr. Kieran McEvoy, chair of the grain committee; Mr. John Murphy, vice-chair of the grain committee; and Mr. Max Potterton, policy executive of the grain committee; and from Tillage Industry Ireland: Mr. Andy Doyle, chair, Mr. Matt Dempsey, president; and Dr. Richard Hackett, secretary. They are all very welcome. Fáilte romhaibh.

The opening statements have been circulated to the members, who had the opportunity to read them earlier. I will allow a short two-minute introduction of each of those opening statements before we go on to a question and answer session.

We will start with the Irish Grain Growers Group. I call Mr. Carter.