Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We are meeting with representatives from the Community Radio Forum of Ireland, CRAOL, which is also Community Radio Ireland, and the Independent Broadcasters of Ireland, IBI, to discuss the challenges facing the broadcasting sector as a result of Covid-19.

I welcome our witnesses to the meeting. I welcome Mr. John Purcell, chairman of the Independent Broadcasters of Ireland, and Mr. Declan Gibbons, who is the station manager at Kilkenny Community Radio, presenting on behalf of CRAOL, who are here with us in committee room 3. I also welcome Ms Mary Lennon, who is with us remotely. She is the project co-ordinator from CRAOL and she will be joining the meeting via Microsoft Teams.

The format of the meeting is such that witnesses will be invited to make an opening statement 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 the witnesses to deliver their opening statement, which is limited to three minutes, I advise them of the following 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 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.

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. For anyone watching this meeting, in most instances Oireachtas Members and witnesses may now be physically present in the committee room or join the meeting remotely via Microsoft Teams. I remind members of the constitutional requirement that members must be physically present within the confines of Leinster House to participate in public meetings. I will not permit a member to attend where he or she is not adhering to this constitutional requirement. Therefore, any member who attempts to attend from outside the precincts will be asked to leave the meeting.

If attending in the committee room, people are asked to exercise personal responsibility to protect themselves and others from the risk of contracting Covid-19. At the moment we only have Senator Cassells and myself in here, so there is no fear of that for a while. Those attending in the committee room are strongly advised to practise good hand hygiene and to leave at least one vacant seat between themselves and others attending. They should always maintain an appropriate level of social distance during and after the meeting. Masks should be worn at all times during the meeting except when speaking.

I ask members to please identify themselves when contributing for the benefit of the Debates Office staff preparing the Official Report, and to please mute their microphone when not contributing to reduce the background noise and feedback. If joining remotely, I ask members to use the raised hand function when they wish to contribute. I remind all those joining today's meeting to ensure their mobile phones are on silent or switched off.

I call Mr. Purcell to make his opening address.