Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Before we begin, I remind members, witnesses and those in the Gallery to turn off their mobile phones. We will now consider the issue of sports in Ireland. This is the second hearing on this issue, which we have included in our work programme for 2017. Today we will continue to examine a number of areas, including how governance is supported and promoted within the national governing bodies, the significance of annual reporting and ensuring compliance with State funding requirements, how financial compliance is managed through audit procedures and how the greatest efficiency and suitability can be achieved through the sports capital programme. We will also continue the discussion on gender quotas on State-sponsored sports boards and seek the views of Sport Ireland and the Federation of Irish Sport.

Sport Ireland provides support for national governing bodies in areas such as governance, planning and compliance, while the Federation of Irish Sport supports these bodies working collectively for the betterment of sport in Ireland, and so make up a vital component of our analysis of sport in Ireland. In this regard, I am delighted to welcome to the meeting today Mr. John Treacy, chief executive, Mr. Paul McDermott, director of high-performance and NGPs, and Dr. Una May, director of participation and ethics, from Sport Ireland, and Mr. James Galvin, chief executive officer, and Ms Sarah Keane, board member of the Federation of Irish Sport. I thank them for attending.

Before we commence, in accordance with procedure, I am required to read the following. 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. 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, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

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.

I remind witnesses that the opening statements which have been circulated to members should be no more than five minutes duration. I invite Mr. Treacy to make his opening statement.