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

Apologies have been received from Deputies Christopher O'Sullivan and Mattie McGrath, and Senator Hoey.

I bid a warm welcome goes to our guests who are with us this afternoon virtually. It is great to have them with us and we are looking forward to the presentations on pre-legislative scrutiny.

I will go through some housekeeping first so please bear with me. The format of the meeting is such that I will invite our witnesses to make opening statements. This will be followed by questions from members of the committee. As the witnesses are probably aware, the committee may publish the opening statements on its website following the meeting.

I will invite witnesses to deliver opening statements, which are limited to three minutes for each organisation. Please adhere to the time limits as much as possible.

I will set out the position on parliamentary privilege. Witnesses are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that 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, or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of any person or entity. Therefore, if the statements of witnesses are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction.

As our witnesses are attending remotely from outside the Leinster House campus, they should note that there are limitations to parliamentary privilege and, as such, they may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as a witness who is physically present.

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.

I remind members of the constitutional requirement that they must be physically present within the confines of Leinster House or the Convention Centre Dublin to participate in public meetings. They are all well used to that now. Members should identify themselves when contributing for the benefit of debates office staff preparing the Official Report and mute their microphones when not contributing to reduce noise and feedback. Please remember to use the raise-hand button to indicate a wish to contribute.

Without further ado I will call on our first guest to make his presentation. Mr. Alan Esslemont is director general at TG4. He is most welcome. He has three minutes.