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

We have received apologies from Deputy Munster and Senator Hoey.

I warmly welcome our guests who are joining us on the topic of the arts. Today's meeting is in two separate sessions. We will resume our consideration of the development of local and community arts with a focus on developing arts in Irish localities. The first session has been convened with representatives from the County and City Management Association, Dublin City Council, Cork City Council and Waterford City and County Council. In our second session we will continue our examination of this topic and hear from Joe Caslin, street artist, teacher and activist; Una Mullally, writer; and representatives from Visual Artists Ireland and the Walls Project CLG.

Today's meeting will focus on developing arts in Irish localities. I warmly welcome our first set of witnesses. From the County and City Management Association, CCMA, I welcome Mr. Michael Rainey, interim chief executive with Carlow County Council and member of the CCMA rural development, community, culture and heritage committee; Mr. Seán McKeown, interim chief executive, Kilkenny County Council; and Ms Melanie Scott, chair of the local authority arts network and local arts officer, Tipperary County Council. From Dublin City Council I also welcome Mr. Ray Yeates, city arts officer in the culture, recreation and economic services department, and Ms Siobhán Maher, acting senior executive officer in the planning and property development department. Those are a lot of titles and names. We are thrilled to have our guests with us today. From Cork City Council I welcome Ms Ann Doherty, chief executive, Ms Michelle Carew, arts officer, and Ms Siobhán Clancy, assistant arts officer in community arts. Ms Doherty will join us online and is very welcome, virtually. From Waterford City Council I welcome Mr. Kieran Kehoe, director of services, and Ms Jane Cantwell, city and county librarian.

The format of the meeting is such that I will invite our witnesses to deliver their opening statements. They are asked to limit them to three minutes each to give us all enough time for over-and-back conversation and questions and answers. As the witnesses are probably aware, the committee may publish the opening statements on its web page. The opening statements will be followed by questions from committee members. Is that agreed?

Before we proceed to opening statements, I must explain some limitations on parliamentary privilege and the practice of the Houses regarding references 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. However, a number of witnesses are giving their evidence remotely from a place outside the parliamentary precincts and, as such, may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as somebody physically present does. Such witnesses may think it appropriate to take legal advice on this matter.

Witnesses are again reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise, or make charges against a 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 statements are potentially defamatory in regard to an identifiable person or entity, witnesses will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply.

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 or entity outside the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make her or him identifiable. I remind members of the constitutional requirement that members must be physically present within the confines of Leinster House to participate in the public meeting. I cannot permit a member to attend where he or she is not adhering to that constitutional requirement.

With all the housekeeping out of the way I am delighted to get to the more meaty part of our discussion. I ask Mr. Rainey on behalf of the CCMA to begin with his opening statement.