Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the witnesses. We are joined by Liam O'Neill, president of the GAA and Páraic Duffy, director general of the GAA. We have asked Mr. O'Neill to discuss the GAA's role and interaction with the Irish diaspora, so we are delighted to have both the president and the director general here today. Before introducing both men, I want to note the role played by the GAA at Croke Park in particular. Some members may have attended the meeting hosted by Mr. O'Neill on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly. His contribution to that meeting was noted by all the delegates, particularly the role the GAA has played in reconciling the two parts of the island. As well as that, the GAA is making inroads, particularly in the UK, as a result of the sport being broadcast in the UK by Sky. Mr. O'Neill also mentioned that the Queen spoke to him about watching some GAA matches as well. He has done a great job as an ambassador for the country in that role.

This is a very important meeting for us because the GAA is one of the largest Irish associations abroad, with over 400 clubs overseas. For many Irish emigrants, the GAA is the first port of call. It plays a very important cultural and social role for Irish communities abroad. I have seen this, as have some of the members, in our visits abroad, whether in Hanoi, Treasure Island in San Francisco, Chicago, New York or any of the various other areas where the GAA has a presence. There is now even a presence in Myanmar. That network is extremely important for us overseas. We are delighted that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade plays a key role with the GAA in fostering, not so much a sports relationship, but a social relationship in the funding it provides to the GAA abroad. It is important for the committee to have that close relationship between the Department, the committee and the GAA.

Without further ado, I will call on the president of the Gaelic Athletic Association, GAA, Mr. Liam O'Neill, to make an opening statement. I believe he also has a presentation to show to members on the television monitors. Both witnesses are welcome and the joint committee is delighted to have them. I thank them for their attendance.

Before I hand over to Mr. O'Neill, I must attend to some procedure and I remind members, witnesses and those in the Visitors Gallery to ensure their mobile telephones are switched off completely for the duration of the meeting as they cause interference with the recording equipment in the committee rooms. As members are aware, today's meeting is being broadcast live on television on the Oireachtas channel.

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 or body outside the Houses or an official, either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. By virtue of section 17(2)(i) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the joint committee. If they are directed by the Chairman to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to do so, they will be 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 any person or an entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. I invite Mr. O'Neill to make his opening statement.