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

We are dealing with No. 8, engagement with RTE on governance issues. The purpose of this morning's meeting is to engage with RTE in order to discuss governance at the station and the policies and procedures in place in order to ensure political balance in programming and report. On behalf of the joint committee, I welcome back Ms Moya Doherty, chairman of the RTE Authority, Mr. Kevin Bakhurst, deputy director general and managing director of news and current affairs, Mr. Tom McGuire, head of RTE Radio 1, Mr. David Nally, managing editor, RTE television current affairs and Ms Deirdre McCarthy, political assignments editor, RTE news.

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 the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to a 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 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 also advise that any submission or opening statement made to the committee will be published on our website following 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 invite Ms Doherty to make her opening remarks. She will be followed by Mr. Bakhurst.