No apologies have been received. I will begin with a note on privilege. Witnesses giving evidence from within the parliamentary precinct are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they give to a committee. This means that 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 Cathaoirleach's direction. Witnesses should follow the direction of the Cathaoirleach 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 of the parliamentary precinct 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 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 of the committee of any matters arising from the proceedings. Everybody taking part is in the room and there are no witnesses online.
Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against either a person outside of 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 the participation is from within the parliamentary precinct. Members may not participate online in a public meeting from outside the parliamentary precinct. Any attempt to do so will result in the member having their access removed.
The agenda for today is a resumed discussion on hemp production. The committee will hear from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and from it, cuirim fáilte roimh Dr. Barry O'Reilly, senior inspector, and Mr. James Quirke, agricultural inspector. From Teagasc, cuirim fáilte roimh Mr. John Spink, head of crops, environmental and land use program. From Wild Atlantic Hemp, cuirim fáilte roimh Mr. Daniel Lyons, hemp farmer. From Loop Head Together GLC, cuirim fáilte roimh Ms Margaret Cotter, cathaoirleach.
The opening statements have been circulated. I will give witnesses five minutes to go through the opening statements and then give members the opportunity to ask some questions and get some answers. I draw members' attention to the fact the Teagasc opening statement is the same as last week's so we will not read through it again as they have already heard that. I will give the witnesses the floor and we will start with five minutes from an Roinn talmhaíochta.
