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

I welcome our guests to the meeting. I had hoped that at this stage in the year we might have been able to conduct the meeting in person but, unfortunately, it appears that we will continue to do things virtually for the foreseeable future. However, it is wonderful to have our guests here and we very much appreciate their attendance. They are all very busy people. This is a good opportunity to discuss the difficulties for the arts sector through these turbulent times. I welcome Ms Anna Walsh, director of Theatre Forum; Professor Kevin Rafter, chair of the Arts Council, Ms Maureen Kennelly, director of the Arts Council, and the joint delegation consisting of Mr. Ollie Kenny, vice chairperson of the Drama League of Ireland, Mr. Brendan McGowan, national executive committee member of the Amateur Drama Council of Ireland, and Mr. Robert Donnelly, national president of the Association of Irish Musical Societies. We have everybody with us today and that is wonderful. I thank our guests.

The format of the meeting is that I will invite witnesses to make their opening statements, which will be followed by questions from members of the committee. As the witnesses will be aware, the committee may publish the opening statements on its website following the meeting.

Before I invite them to deliver their opening statements, which are limited to three minutes each, I wish to advise them about 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 the person or entity. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory in respect of an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply. As the witnesses are attending remotely from outside the Leinster House campus, I ask them to note that there are some 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 does.

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 remind members of the constitutional requirement that they must be physically present in the confines of Leinster House or the convention centre to participate in the public meeting. I cannot permit a member to attend if he or she is not adhering to the constitutional requirements. I also ask members to identify themselves when contributing for the benefit of the Debates Office staff who are preparing the Official Report. Microphones must be muted when not contributing to reduce background noise and feedback. I ask members and witnesses to use the raise-your-hand function on their screen if they want to contribute. I remind those participating in the meeting to ensure their mobile telephones are on silent mode or, better still, switched off.

Without further ado, I will call on the witnesses in the following order: Ms Anna Walsh; the joint delegation; and the Arts Council. I remind them that they have three minutes each for their opening statements. I will again advise them about 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 the person or entity. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory in respect of an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. I apologise for being repetitive, but it is necessary for protocol in Leinster House.

I invite Ms Anna Walsh of the Theatre Forum to make her opening statement.