Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Cuirim míle fáilte roimh na finnéithe. We are delighted to have the witnesses here today. It is a sign of the importance of the sector that the Association of Artists' Representative Organisations is the first group to make a presentation to this newly formed committee. I wish to welcome the following witnesses to the meeting: Mr. David Kavanagh, Mr. Eamon Murray, Ms Birch Hamilton, Ms Rynagh O'Grady and Ms Karan O'Loughlin, representing the Association of Artists’ Representative Organisations; Mr. Eugene Downes, director of the Kilkenny Arts Festival; Ms Angela Dorgan, chief executive officer of First Music Contact; Ms Olwen Dawe, consultant and policy assistant representing the National Campaign for the Arts; Ms Barbara Galavan, chief executive officer of Screen Producers Ireland; and Ms Lesley McKimm of Newgrange Pictures. I thank the witnesses for being in attendance. When asking questions or otherwise intervening, it might be useful if people could introduce themselves.

I wish to draw the attention of witnesses 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 the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they 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 they are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect 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. I also wish to advise witnesses that the opening statement and any other documents they have submitted to the committee may be published on the committee's website after this 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 House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

In July 2016, the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Heather Humphreys, launched Culture 2025 - Éire Ildánach: a Framework Policy to 2025. She stated that culture adds value to our lives and to communities and that everybody should have a right to participate in the cultural life of the nation. I fully endorse the Minister's words in this respect. Accordingly, I am anxious to hear the views of witnesses on how this can best be achieved and how this framework policy can best be put into operation.