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

Taimíd í seisiún poiblí. Ba liom fáilte a chur romhaibh go léir anseo inniu daoibhse. I thank the witnesses for coming along to our meeting to discuss arts for all. Members of the Sherkin Island Development Society, SIDS, have travelled a long distance to be with us today. Given that distance we will hear Ms Aisling Moran and Ms Majella O'Neill Collins from SIDS first in case they have made arrangements to catch trains, etc. From the National College of Art and Design we have Professor Sarah Glennie, director, and Professor Dervil Jordan, head of the school of education. From Age and Opportunity Ireland we have Dr. Tara Byrne and Ms Helen O'Donoghue. Arts and Disability Ireland is represented by Mr. Pádraig Naughton and Ms Leah Johnston. From McAuley Place, Naas, we have Mr. Brian Rowntree and Ms Margharita Solon.

I draw the attention of witnesses 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 their evidence to the committee. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and 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 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. The opening statements and any other documents they have submitted to the committee may be published on the committee's 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 House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

We ask witnesses to keep their presentations to approximately five minutes because there is such a big group today. Further elements of their presentations can be teased out through questions and answers later.

I invite our friends from Sherkin Island Development Society, SIDS, to start.