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

I welcome members and our guests, who are joining us remotely. Before we proceed with business, I want to attend briefly to a housekeeping matter. I ask the witnesses to bear with me while I do so. Can I take it that the draft minutes of our previous public and private meetings, of Wednesday, 23 February and Wednesday, 9 March, respectively, are formally agreed and there are no matters arising? Agreed.

Today's meeting is to discuss with the chairperson-designate of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, BAI, Ms Mary Curtis, her role and priorities. Standing Orders provide that the committee has the power to require that the chairperson-designate of a body or agency under the aegis of the Department shall, prior to his or her appointment, attend before the committee to discuss his or her strategic priorities for the role. We are delighted to welcome Ms Curtis, as well as Ms Celene Craig, CEO of the BAI. They are joining us remotely via Microsoft Teams. The format of the meeting is that I will invite Ms Curtis to deliver her opening statement, which will be limited to five minutes, followed by questions from members of the committee. The witnesses are advised that the committee may publish the opening statement on its web page.

To limit the risk of spreading Covid-19, we encourage all members, witnesses and visitors to wear a face mask when moving around the campus and when they are in close proximity to each other, to be respectful of others' physical space and to adhere to any other public health advice.

Before inviting Ms Curtis to give her opening statement, I want to explain a number of limitations in regard to parliamentary privilege and the practice of the Oireachtas in regard to references witnesses may make to other persons in their evidence. The evidence of witnesses physically present or who give evidence from within the parliamentary precincts is protected, pursuant to both the Constitution and statute, by absolute privilege. However, as today's witnesses are giving evidence remotely from a place outside the parliamentary precincts, it is important that they bear in mind that they may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as does a witness who is physically present. Such witnesses may think it appropriate to take legal action in this regard but I am sure that will not arise out of today's proceedings.

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 to engage in speech that may be regarded as damaging to the good name of that person or entity.

Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory in relation to any identifiable person or entity, they may be directed to discontinue their remarks.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect 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 to participate in public meetings. I cannot permit members to attend where they are not adhering to this constitutional requirement. I also ask members when contributing via Microsoft Teams to identify themselves when contributing for the benefit of the Debates Office staff preparing the Official Report. Members should mute their microphones when they are not contributing to reduce background noise and feedback.

With all that housekeeping out of the way, we are down to the important part of the meeting, namely, our engagement with our guests from the BAI. I invite Ms Curtis to make her opening statement.