Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome to our meeting Mr. John Treacy, CEO of Sport Ireland, Mr. Kieran Mulvey, chairman of Sport Ireland, Mr. Aidan Horan, chairman of the governance review group and director of the Institute of Public Administration, and Mr. Paul McDermott, from Sport Ireland.

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 they continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. They are directed that evidence connected only 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.

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.

I invite Mr. Treacy to make his opening statement. He is to be followed by the chairman of the review group, Mr. Horan.