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

Today's meeting has been convened with representatives from Sport Ireland, the Federation of Irish Sport, FIS, and officials from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, who join us to discuss the elimination of any and all abuse of referees, officials, and players in sport.

On behalf of the committee, I warmly welcome our witnesses. Dr. Una May, CEO of Sport Ireland, is joined by Mr. David Gash, communications and public affairs manager. I also welcome Ms Mary O'Connor, a very familiar face at these hearings, who is the FIS CEO. Finally, I welcome Mr. Cian Ó Lionáin, assistant secretary with responsibility for tourism and sport, and Mr. Micheál Ó Conaire, principal officer with responsibility for sports policy, Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.

The format of the meeting is such that I will invite witnesses to give their opening statements, which are limited to five minutes. This will be followed by questions from members of the committee. The witnesses may be aware that the committee will publish the opening statements on its web page after our meeting. Please note, to limit the risk of spreading Covid-19 we are encouraged as members, witnesses, and visitors to continue to wear face masks in crowded settings on the campus.

Before I ask our witnesses to deliver their opening statements I wish to explain some of the limitations in parliamentary privilege and the practice of the Houses with regard to references the 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 the Constitution and statute, by absolute 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 that person or entity. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory in relation to the identity of a person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks.

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 again of the constitutional requirement that members must be physically present within 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 in order to reduce background noise and feedback. I remind everybody to switch off their mobile phone or put them to airplane mode to ensure they do not interfere with the recording of these proceedings.

With all that breathtaking housekeeping out of the way, I am delighted to get to the meaty part of our committee hearing today. I propose we move to presentations from our witnesses and guests. I will begin by inviting Dr. Una May, on behalf of Sport Ireland, to make her opening statement.