Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank members for agreeing that I act as Cathaoirleach for today's meeting. Apologies have been received from the Chair, Deputy Smyth, and Vice Chair, Deputy Dillon.

The meeting has been convened with representatives from Age Action, the Independent Living Movement Ireland, the Irish Traveller Movement and the National Youth Council of Ireland to discuss future business model plans and the long-term vision for the media sector with a particular focus on access and inclusion. This is the committee's fourth engagement on this topic. On behalf of the committee, I warmly welcome all of our witnesses. From Age Action I welcome Ms Celine Clarke, head of advocacy and public affairs, and Ms Mary Murphy, research officer. From Independent Living Movement Ireland we are joined by Dr. James Casey, policy officer, and Ms Claire Kenny, policy assistant. They are both welcome. From the Irish Traveller Movement I welcome Ms Jacinta Brack, co-ordinator of political advocacy, communications and campaigns. Finally, from the National Youth Council of Ireland I welcome its director of policy and advocacy, Mr. Paul Gordon. He is joined by one of the council's young voices participants, Ms Ashley Chadamoyo Makombe. The format of the meeting is as follows. I will invite our witnesses to deliver their opening statements, which are limited to three minutes. That will be followed by questions from members. The committee may publish the opening statements on its web page. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Before I invite our witnesses to deliver their opening statements, I must explain some limitations with regard to parliamentary privilege and the practice of the Houses with regard to references that witnesses 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 any identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that 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. I also remind members of the constitutional requirements that they must be physically present within the confines of Leinster House to participate at the public meeting. I cannot 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 of Leinster House will be asked to leave the meeting.

We now proceed with the opening statements in the following order: Ms Mary Murphy from Age Action, Dr. James Casey from the Independent Living Movement of Ireland, Ms Jacinta Brack from the Irish Traveller Movement and Mr. Paul Gordon from the National Youth Council of Ireland.