Malcolm Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The committee is considering the development of local and community arts. As part of our consideration, we are looking at the area of arts and cultural diversity, including intercultural arts. At the end of our deliberations, we will produce a report with recommendations on how we can enhance participation in local, community and voluntary artistic activity. This meeting has been convened to continue our consideration of those matters. We are pleased to hear, in this session, from representatives of the Irish Traveller Movement, the Irish Network Against Racism, Pavee Point and the Centre for Creative Practices. The witnesses are all very welcome. From the Irish Traveller Movement, I welcome Mr. Bernard Joyce, director, and Ms Jacinta Brack, co-ordinator of policy and advocacy. From the Irish Network Against Racism, I welcome Ms Maria Elena Costa Sa, human rights and community development lead, and Ms Chandrika Narayanan Mohan, writer and cultural consultant. From Pavee Point, I welcome Mr. Martin Collins, co-director, and Ms Caoimhe McCabe, information and communications. From the Centre for Creative Practices, I welcome Ms Monica Sapielak, artistic director and CEO.

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. I ask the witnesses to try to stick to the time limit. They will see the clocks in the room. As they are probably aware, the committee will publish the opening statements on its web page. After the presentations, we will move to questions from members.

Before we proceed to the opening statements, I have to go through the legal position. I must explain that there are 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 an 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 the Acting Chair, to ensure this privilege is not abused. Therefore, if statements are potentially defamatory in relation to any identifiable person or entity, witnesses will be directed to discontinue their remarks and it is imperative they comply with any such direction. Where witnesses give evidence remotely from a place outside of the parliamentary precincts, they may not benefit from the same level of immunity.

Witnesses are also asked to note that only evidence connected with the subject matter of the proceedings should be given, so they should stick to the topic. They should respect directions given by the Chair and the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, 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 person or entity's good name. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks.

It is imperative that witnesses comply with any such direction. I hope all of that legal jargon is clear but I am quite certain there will not be any need to be concerned with it today.

I propose that we proceed to hear the opening statements in the following order: the Irish Traveller Movement, the Irish Network Against Racism, Pavee Point and the Centre for Creative Practices. The representative will have three minutes each.