John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The purpose of the meeting is to engage with the Community Radio Forum of Ireland, CRAOL, Dublin Community TV, Irish TV and Northern Visions on the proposed broadcasting Bill and broadcasting charge. On behalf of the joint committee, I welcome Mr. Declan Gibbons and Ms Sally Galiana from CRAOL; Dr. Eddie Brennan and Mr. Ciaran Moore from Dublin Community TV; Mr. Pierce O'Reilly from Irish TV; and Ms Marilyn Hyndman from Northern Visions. I draw their attention to the fact that, by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the committee. However, if they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. They are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against a person or an entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. I also advise that the opening statements submitted to the committee will be published on its website after the meeting. Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they 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.
As members are aware, we have two not-for-profit community groups represented. In addition, Irish TV is a commercial entity. Obviously, there is a lot happening in broadcasting all over the spectrum, including the drafting of a broadcasting Bill that is due to be introduced. It is important, therefore, to hear different perspectives and about the needs of each group and to see if there are similarities between them. RTE representatives have also appeared before the committee and we will be bringing in more groups at a later stage to form an overall opinion on what we have heard and will hear. In that context, I call on Mr. Gibbons from CRAOL to address the committee.