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

The purpose of this morning's meeting is to engage with representatives of the GAA and Aiken Promotions in order to ascertain the facts from their perspectives in regard to the arrangements for the Garth Brooks concerts and their subsequent cancellation. As the witnesses are no doubt aware, we met the chief executive of Dublin City Council and his officials, who explained the council's role as the event licensing authority for the concerts.
On behalf of the committee, I welcome Mr. Páraic Duffy, director general of the GAA, Mr. Peter Aiken of Aiken Promotions and his colleague, Mr. Eamon O'Boyle of Eamon O'Boyle & Associates. They are all very welcome. I did not include among them Mr. Peter McKenna, who is also very welcome.
I draw the witnesses' 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 they continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to qualified privilege in respect of their evidence.

Witnesses 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 that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. Any submission or opening statements witnesses have submitted to the committee will be published on the committee's 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.

I now invite Mr. Duffy to make his opening remarks.