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

This meeting has been convened on the topic of the development of local community arts - policy-making and funding - with officials from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and representatives from the Arts Council, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, the National Campaign for the Arts and Create Ireland, which is Ireland's national development agency for collaborative arts. I warmly welcome each and every one of our witnesses to the committee. From the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, I welcome Ms Mary Nash, principal officer, arts, film and investment unit, and Ms Letitia Stepenske, assistant principal officer, cultural schemes unit. I also welcome: Ms Tania Banotti, director of Creative Ireland; Ms Sinéad O’Reilly, acting strategic development director, and Ms Maureen Kennelly, director, from the Arts Council; from Ealaín na Gaeltachta, Ms Rachel Holstead, áisitheoir ealaíon, agus Ms Siubhán Nic Grianna, cathaoirleach ar bhord Ealaín na Gaeltachta agus ball foirne de chuid Údarás na Gaeltachta; from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Ms Karly Greene, director of strategic development and partnerships, and Ms Gilly Campbell, director of arts development; from the National Campaign for the Arts, Ms Annette Nugent, steering group member; and from Create Ireland, Ireland's national agency for collaborative arts, Mr. Damien McGlynn, director.

The format of today's meeting is such that I will invite our witnesses to deliver their opening statements, which are limited to three minutes. As they are probably aware, the committee may publish their opening statements on its web page.

Before we proceed to opening statements, I must explain some limitations in relation to parliamentary privilege and the practices of the Houses around references that witnesses may make to other persons in their evidence. The evidence of witnesses who are physically present or who give evidence from within the parliamentary precincts is protected by absolute privilege pursuant to the Constitution and statute in respect of the presentation they make to the committee. This means witnesses have absolute defence against any defamation action for anything they say at the meeting. However, witnesses are expected not to abuse this privilege. It is my duty, as Chair, to ensure this privilege is not abused. Therefore, if statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, witnesses will be directed to discontinue their remarks and it is imperative they comply with any such direction.

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 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 members must be physically present within the confines of Leinster House to participate in public meetings. I will not permit a member to attend where he or she is not adhering to the constitutional requirement. Therefore, any members who attempt to attend from outside the precincts will be asked to leave the meeting.

I propose we proceed with the opening statements in the following order, namely, Ms Nash, Ms Kennelly, Siubhán Nic Grianna, Ms Greene, Ms Nugent and Mr. McGlynn.