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

The meeting will be carried live on UPC channel 207, eVision channel 504 and Sky channel 574. I remind members to turn off their mobile telephones. Apologies have been received from Deputies Helen McEntee, Michael McCarthy and Noel Harrington.

The purpose of this meeting is to discuss with the chairperson designate of daa the approach he proposes to take, if and when he is reappointed to the role, as well as his view on the challenges currently facing the authority. We are all aware of the Government's decision in May 2011, which put new arrangements in place for the appointment of persons to State boards and bodies. The committee welcomes the opportunity to meet the chairperson designate in public session to hear his views and we trust that this provides greater transparency to the process of appointment to our State boards and bodies.

On behalf of the committee, I welcome Mr. Pádraig Ó Ríordáin and draw his attention to the fact that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, he is protected by absolute privilege in respect of his evidence to this committee. However, if he is directed by the Chairman to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to so do, he is entitled thereafter only to qualified privilege in respect of his evidence. He is directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, he should not criticise nor make charges against any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. I also wish to advise him that any submissions or opening statements he has provided to the committee will be published on the committee 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. Ó Ríordáin to make his opening statement, copies of which have already been provided to committee members. He may wish to provide us with a synopsis.