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

This meeting has been convened today with representatives from Conradh na Gaeilge, the Joint Creative Audiovisual Sectoral Group, the National Campaign for the Arts, Irish Music Rights Organisation, IMRO, and Sport Ireland, to discuss future business model plans and long-term vision for the media sector with a focus on the Irish language, culture, creative economy and sport. This is the committee's fifth engagement on this topic and on behalf of the committee I warmly welcome the witnesses to committee room 2. I welcome Julian De Spáinn, the general secretary, ard-rúnaí and the advocacy manager, bainisteoir abhcóideachta, Róisín Ní Chinnéide, Conradh na Gaeilge. We are also joined from the Joint Creative Audiovisual Sectoral Group by Sarah Glennane, chief executive officer, Screen Composers Guild of Ireland; and James Hickey, Screen Producers Ireland.

I warmly welcome the newly-appointed chair of the National Campaign for the Arts, Ms Maria Fleming. I congratulate her on her appointment and look forward to engaging with her on the committee. I also welcome Mr. Victor Finn, chief executive, and Ms Lisa Ní Choisdealbha, director of licensing and public affairs, IMRO. Finally, I welcome Dr. Una May, chief executive, and Mr. Fergus Hannigan, marketing and brand manager, Sport Ireland. I hope I have included everybody there.

I have to go through little bit of housekeeping now. The format of the meeting is that I will invite our witnesses to deliver their opening statements, which will be limited to three minutes. This will then be followed by questions from members of the committee. As our guests are probably aware, the committee may publish the opening statements on its website. Before I invite the witnesses to deliver their opening statements, I wish to explain some limitations in respect of parliamentary privilege and the practice of the House in respect of references that they 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. Witnesses are again reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable or 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 respect of an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks.

Members are also reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside of the House, 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 committee's public meetings. One cannot, therefore, attend online or outside of the precincts or the member will be asked to leave. I propose now that we proceed with the opening statements in the following order: Mr. de Spáinn, Ms Fleming, Mr. Finn and finally, Dr. Una May.