Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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The agenda for today's meeting is to examine the supports and resources need for private advisory providers delivering advice on nitrates and water quality improvements. The committee will hear from officials from the Agricultural Consultants Association, namely, Mr. Tom Canning, consultant; Mr. Owen O'Driscoll, consultant; and Mr. Noel Feeney, consultant. Tá fáilte romhaibh. Before that, I need to go through the note on privilege.

I bring to witnesses' attention that those 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 to not 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. The witnesses' opening statement has been circulated and members have had an opportunity to read it. I will give them two minutes in which to do a brief synopsis of it.