Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Táimid chun déileáil inniu le hoifigigh ón Roinn Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta maidir le Ráiteas Straitéise 2018 to 2020 agus Project Ireland 2040. Tá fáilte roimh na haíonna seo a leanas ar fad as teacht anseo inniu, roimh Katherine Licken, Ard-Rúnaí agus roimh a comhghleacaithe ar fad atá anseo, roinnt díobh atá feicthe anseo agam cheana agus roinnt eile díobh nach bhfuil.

Déanfaidh mé i dtosach báire an méid seo a leanas a rá toisc go bhfuil an taifeadadh iomlán ar siúl: sula dtosóimid le fianaise na n-aíonna ba mhaith liom a chur ar aird na bhfinnéithe go bhfuil de bhua alt 17(2)(l) den Acht um Chlúmhilleadh 2009, finnéithe faoi chosaint ag lánphribhléid maidir leis an bhfianaise a thabharfaidh siad don choiste seo. Má ordaíonn an coiste dóibh, ámh, éirí as fianaise a thabhairt i leith ní áirithe agus má leanann siad dá tabhairt amhlaidh, ní bheidh siad i dteideal dá éis sin ach pribhléid cháilithe i leith a gcuid fianaise. By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege. 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 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 or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. I also advise witnesses that their opening statements and any other document they have submitted to the committee may be published on its 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.

Cuirfidh mé tús leis an gcomhrá inniu agus tugaim cuireadh anois do Katherine Licken an cur i láthair a dhéanamh agus na baill atá léi a chur in ár n-aithne dúinn, lena toil. Gabhaim buíochas léi.