Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This meeting has been convened for a discussion with the National Museum of Ireland, NMI, and the Irish Museums Association, IMA, on the impact of Covid-19 on cultural institutions. I formally welcome the following witnesses who will all join the meeting remotely via Microsoft Teams: Ms Lynn Scarff, director, and Ms Catherine Heaney, chair of the NMI, Ms Gina O'Kelly, director, and Dr. Audrey Whitty, chair of the IMA. They are all very welcome.

The format of the meeting is such that I will invite our witnesses to make their opening statements, which 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. Before I invite them to deliver their opening statements, which are limited to five minutes, I would like to advise them of the following in relation to 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 relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative they comply with any such direction.

As our witnesses today are attending remotely outside the Leinster House campus, please note 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 physically present here does. Witnesses participating in the committee session from a jurisdiction outside the State are advised they should also be mindful of domestic laws and how they may apply to the evidence they give.

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 or entity, either by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. I again remind members of the constitutional requirement that members may be physically present within the confines of the place which Parliament has chosen to sit, namely, Leinster House, or the Convention Centre Dublin. To participate in public meetings, I will not permit a member to attend where they are not adhering to the constitutional requirement. Therefore, any member who attempts to attend from outside the precincts will be asked to leave the meeting.

In addition, when physically present in the committee room for the meeting, all members in attendance are asked to exercise personal responsibility in protecting themselves and others from the risk of contracting Covid-19. They are strongly advised to practise good hand hygiene and leave at least one vacancy between them and others attending. They should also maintain an appropriate level of social distancing during and after meetings. Masks, preferably of good medical grade, should be worn at all times during the meeting except when speaking. I ask for the full co-operation of members on this matter.

I also ask members to please identify themselves when contributing for the benefit of Debates Office staff preparing the Official Report. They should mute their microphones when not contributing to reduce background noise and feedback. I ask that they use the button to raise their hands when they wish to contribute. I remind all those joining today's meeting to ensure mobile phones are on silent or are switched off.

Furthermore, I am obliged to be absent from the meeting for a time. I nominate Senator Carrigy to chair the meeting in my absence. Is that agreed? Agreed.

I call Ms Heaney to make her statement.