Fintan Warfield (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

This meeting is convened today with representatives from Screen Ireland, Creative Europe Desk Ireland, and the Arts Council for a round-table discussion on Ireland and a creative Europe, Ireland's participation in and access to the Creative Europe Programme 2021-2027. This engagement is particularly timely given that we celebrated Europe Day this week. This year, Europe Day is of particular note. The conflict in Ukraine underlines the importance of the ideas of peace and prosperity on which the European Union is based.

I welcome our witnesses to the meeting: Ms Stephanie O'Callaghan, arts director with the Arts Council; Ms Teresa McGrane, deputy CEO of Screen Ireland and co-ordinator of Creative Europe Desk Ireland; Ms Eibhlín Ní Mhunghaile, head of Creative Europe Desk Ireland media office; and Ms Katie Lowry and Ms Aoife Tunney, joint heads of the Creative Europe Desk Ireland culture office.

The format of the meeting is such that I will invite our witnesses to make an opening statement, which will be followed by questions from committee members. Witnesses may be aware that the committee may publish the opening statement on its website following the meeting.

Before I invite the witnesses to deliver their opening statements I wish to explain some limitations on parliamentary privilege and the practice of the House with regard to references the witnesses may make to other persons in their evidence. The evidence of witnesses physically present, or from those who give evidence from within the parliamentary precincts, is protected pursuant to both 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 the person or entity. Therefore, if your statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity you will be directed to discontinue your remarks. It is imperative that you 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 by or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable

I now call on Ms Teresa McGrane of Screen Ireland to present to the committee on behalf of the Arts Council, Screen Ireland, and Creative Europe Desk Ireland.