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

Ba mhaith fíorfháilte a ghabháil le gach duine a tháinig anseo inniu chun a gcuid cur i láthair a dhéanamh. All are very welcome and my thanks to all of the witnesses for giving up their time to make their presentations here today. Inniu, is é an t-ábhar a bheidh le plé ag an gcomhchoiste ná an ceol in Éirinn faoi láthair. We are going to discuss music in Ireland today. Le go ndéanfaimid an cheist sin a phlé, ba mhaith liom fáilte a ghabháil roimh Dr. Orla Mc Donagh, head of the conservatory of music and drama, Dublin Institute of Technology, and Mr. Kevin Hanafin, head of orchestral studies. Ó Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann tá Labhras Ó Murchú, ardstiúrthóir, agus an tUasal Attracta Brady anseo linn inniu freisin. Ó Music Generation tá Ms Rosaleen Molloy, national director, and Mr. Leo Blennerhassett, chairman, linn. Ó Sing Out With Strings, tá Mr. Gerard Keenan agus Cathríona Murphy inár láthair. Go raibh míle buíochas leo as teacht isteach inniu.

Before I ask the witnesses to address the meeting, I must draw to their 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 give to this committee. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in relation to a particular matter and they continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. Witnesses 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 nor 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 advise witnesses that the statements they make and any other documents submitted to the committee 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 by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

Tá bhur gcuid cur i láthair scaipthe againn ar na baill cheana féin agus cuirim in iúl go bhfuil deich nóiméad ag gach duine chun a gcur i láthair a dhéanamh. The presentations of the witnesses have been received by the members and I would ask the witnesses to keep their presentations to ten minutes, if possible. Chun tús a chur lenár gcomhrá, tugaim cuireadh anois don conservatory of music and drama, Dublin Institute of Technology, a chuid cur i láthair a dhéanamh, le bhur dtoil.