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

We will resume on public session to consider the topic of what it takes to maintain a viable rural community with officials from the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. Is that agreed? Agreed.

I welcome the following witnesses to the meeting: Mr. Terry Allen, principal officer, and Mr. Paul Connolly, assistant principal officer, national monuments, from the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. I thank them for their attendance.

I draw to their attention 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 joint committee. However, if they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to do so, 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 the 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 advise witnesses that the opening statement and any other documents they provide may be published on its website after the meeting.

Members are reminded of the longstanding 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 ask Mr. Allen to make his opening statement.