Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Without further ado, I welcome to our meeting the witnesses from the GAA and the FAI, who are joining us from committee room 2 and have been there for some time. I thank them for their patience and forbearance. From the GAA, we have Mr. John Horan, uachtarán, and Mr. Tom Ryan, ard stiúrthóir; from the FAI, Mr. Gary Owens, interim chief executive, and Mr. Mark Scanlon, director of the League of Ireland; and from the Irish Rugby Football Union, IRFU, joining us by external link, Mr. Philip Browne, chief executive officer, and Mr. Stephen McNamara, director of communications.

I advise the witnesses that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to this committee. This applies to witnesses who are present in the precincts of Leinster House. There is less certainty regarding the privilege that accrues to witnesses who are joining us by videolink. I am not saying privilege does not accrue but the matter has never been tested in court. If witnesses are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter, they must respect that direction. 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, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. I hope witnesses will respect that advice.

All of the opening statements have been circulated in advance. I ask witnesses to limit their statements to five minutes. I invite Mr. Horan to make his opening statement.