Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I would like to introduce the representatives from the Irish dancing organisations, Ms Carol Carberry and Dr. Orfhlaith Ní Bhriain. I thank them for being with us today; it is very much appreciated. I have a few housekeeping rules I need to go through first, so I ask them to bear with me.

I request that all members sit only in the permitted seats and in front of available microphones to ensure they are heard. It is important as not doing so can cause serious problems for broadcasting, editorial and sound staff. I remind members to please maintain social distance all times during the meeting. Members are requested to use wipes and hand sanitisers provided to clean the seats and desks shared to supplement regular sanitisation in the breaks between meetings.

I remind members that we will wrap up a little earlier today at 3.30 p.m. for voting in the convention centre and to allow members enough time to get there. Unlike our normal speaking slots and rota, I ask members for a show of hands so that we can fit as many in as possible. I ask members to confine themselves to the two minutes. The clock will be on and I ask them to bear with it by either using the two minutes for a statement or for questions and answers.

I welcome Ms Carol Carberry, chairperson of Comhdháil na Múinteoirí le Rincí Gaelacha, agus Dr. Orfhlaith Ní Bhriain, leas-chathaoirleach Coimisiún le Rincí Gaelacha, and her colleague, Mr. Peter Boylan, who will be joining the meeting remotely. Mr. Boylan is very welcome and I am delighted to have him here with us virtually.

The format of the meeting is that I will invite witnesses to make opening statements, which will be followed by questions from members of the committee. As witnesses are probably aware, the committee will publish the opening statements on the website following the meeting. I ask Ms. Carberry to begin and then we will move on to Dr. Ní Bhriain.