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

We will discuss the topic what it takes to sustain a viable rural community with representatives of the Fingal Leader Partnership, Kildare Leader Partnership, Meath Leader Partnership and Monaghan Leader Partnership. Cuirim fíorfháilte roimh gach éinne anseo inniu chun an ábhar tábhachtach seo a phlé. I welcome the following witnesses to the meeting: Ms Phil Moore, chief executive officer, representing Fingal Leader Partnership; Mr. Justin Larkin, chief executive officer, and Mr. Chris Byrne, former chairman, representing Kildare Leader Partnership; Mr. Michael Ludlow, chief executive officer, representing Meath Leader Partnership; and Mr. Gabriel O'Connell, chief executive officer, and Ms Mary Mullen, chairperson, of Monaghan Integrated Development, representing Monaghan Leader Partnership. I thank the witnesses for their attendance.

This committee is involved in a very in-depth item of research. We propose to talk to the representatives of approximately 49 different organisations, ranging from businesses to enterprise developments to community groups and so forth, to get a good understanding from the experts in the field of what is necessary to achieve a sustainable rural society and economy. What we are seeking to get, in the main, are in-depth recommendations from the witnesses' experience that we can add to our report that we hope to publish in the new year.

Before we proceed, I wish to 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 the evidence they are to give to the committee. If, however, they are directed to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to so do, they are 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. The opening statement and any other documents submitted may be published on the committee 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 Houses or an official, either by their official name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

In today's meeting we are continuing with the programme regarding viable rural communities. We are dealing with stream one, which is maintaining an effective service and presence in rural communities, and we will complete our discussions on that aspect. We have also looked at different elements of it. We hope to have the report completed by the new year.

I call the representative of Fingal Leader Partnership to address the committee first.