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

I welcome the witnesses. Apologies have been received from Senator Shane Cassells.

The committee is meeting today with current and former representatives from RTÉ to resume our discussions and deliberations regarding recent revelations concerning the transparency of RTÉ's expenditure of public funds and governance issues, following the statements issued by the RTÉ board on 22 June 2023. At the outset of this meeting I wish to 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. However, a number of today's witnesses are giving evidence remotely and from outside the parliamentary precinct and, as such, may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as a witness who is physically present does. 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 or her 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 regard to an identifiable person or entity, witnesses will be directed to discontinue their remarks.

Members are also reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice 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 again of the constitutional requirement that members must be physically present within the confines of Leinster House to participate in the public meetings. I cannot permit a member to attend where he or she is not adhering to that constitutional requirement and where a member is attending remotely. Any member who attempts to attend from outside the precincts will be asked to leave the meeting.

I also emphasise to members and witnesses alike again that it is imperative that today's meeting is conducted in a fair and respectful manner at all times. It is important, in the interest of natural justice, that members and witnesses act responsibly on utterances concerning those present today and concerning those who are not present. I will intervene in exchanges where I deem this not to be the case. I would also like to stress to colleagues and Members of the Houses that it is crucial that we hear and consider all of the evidence today before drawing any conclusions on matters arising. This is of the utmost importance so that the committee can conduct its work in as effective a manner as possible.

I now move to today's agenda. The committee welcomes representatives from RTÉ, both current and former, to resume discussions regarding the transparency of RTÉ's expenditure of public funds and governance issues arising from a statement issued by the RTÉ board on 22 June 2023. To that end, I welcome the representatives from RTÉ who are here. We have, again, the chair of the board, Ms Siún Ní Raghallaigh; Mr. Adrian Lynch, interim deputy director general; Mr. Robert Shortt, member of the audit and risk committee and board staff representative; Mr. Richard Collins, chief financial officer; Ms Geraldine O'Leary, director of commercial; and Mr. Rory Coveney, director of strategy. They are all very welcome again. I also welcome Ms Anne O'Leary, chair of the audit and risk committee in RTÉ, who is joining the meeting today via Microsoft Teams. I hope she can hear and see us.

I remind everyone that an invitation was also issued to Mr. Jim Jennings, director of content, who regrettably cannot attend. We wish Mr. Jennings and Ms Dee Forbes speedy recoveries and extend the invitation to them to engage with the committee at a later date when they are able to do so.

I also welcome Ms Moya Doherty to the meeting today. She is the former chairperson of the board of RTÉ from 2014 until 2022. I also welcome Ms Breda O'Keeffe, former chief financial officer at RTÉ, from 2012 to 2020. They are both very welcome. An invitation to the meeting has also been extended to Mr. Noel Curran, the former director general of RTÉ, who regrettably had prior commitments but does hope to attend and engage with the committee on a future date.

The format of today's meeting is such that I will invite witnesses to deliver their opening statements, and for the ease of those presenting today I also propose to include a short comfort break approximately midway through the session. Is that agreed? Agreed. Our guests are probably aware, the committee will publish their opening statements on its web page. These will be followed by questions from members of the committee, each of whom will have ten minutes for questions and answers. I hope we will stick to that as much as possible so we can get as many people in as possible.

I call Ms Ní Raghallaigh to make her opening statement.