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

Breathnóimid anois ar na hábhair seo a leanas: an tseirbhís fharantóireachta go hInis Mór, Contae na Gaillimhe; staid agus curaimí Chomhar na nOileán; West Cork Development Partnership; proposed Mary Robinson centre in Ballina, County Mayo; agus an buiséad in 2017 i gcomhair na Gaeilge agus maoiniú i gcomhair Fhoras na Gaeilge agus i gcomhair Údarás na Gaeltachta. Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta, Deputy Heather Humphreys. Níl an tAire Stáit le freagracht as gnóthaí Gaeltachta agus acmhainní nádúrtha, Deputy Seán Kyne, anseo fós ach b'fhéidir go dtiocfaidh sé. I also welcome from the Department Mr. Joe Hamill, Secretary General, Mr. Feargal Ó Coigligh, assistant secretary, Mr. William Parnell, assistant secretary, Mr. Aodhán Mac Cormaic, stiúrthóir na Gaeilge, and Mr. J. P. Mulherin, principal officer.

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. If they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in relation to a particular matter and they continue to do so, 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 the 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 advise the witnesses that the opening statements and any other documents they have submitted to the committee may 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.

Today's meeting is one of a series of meetings to consider the issue of what it takes to sustain a rural community. During our deliberations we are examining all elements of this, including employment, emergency services, local services, quality of life, education and transport. B'fhéidir go dtosnódh an tAire. I invite the Minister to make her presentation.