Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome everyone and remind all those in attendance to ensure that their mobile phones are switched off or in silent mode. Before we start, I wish to explain some limitations to parliamentary privilege and the practices of the Houses of the Oireachtas with regard to references that witnesses can 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. This means that witnesses have an absolute defence against any defamation action for anything they say at the meeting. However, they are expected not to abuse that privilege and it is my duty as Cathaoirleach to ensure it is not abused. 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 they comply with such directions.

Witnesses are 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 as way as to make him or her identifiable or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name or reputation of a person or entity. 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 they comply with such directions.

Members are reminded of the provisions within Standing Order 218 that the committee shall refrain from inquiring into the merits of a policy or policies of the Government, or a Minister of the Government, or the merits of the objectives of such policies. 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.

We are joined by the Comptroller and Auditor General, Mr. Seamus McCarthy, who is a permanent witness to this committee. Today we will engage with Mr. Ryan Tubridy and Mr. Noel Kelly. Mr. Tubridy and Mr. Kelly have been advised of the areas on which the committee will focus. They are payments to presenters and personnel in RTÉ, specifically from 2017 to date; details of Mr. Ryan Tubridy's contractual relationship with RTÉ including related payments and exit fees; the process relating to the tripartite agreement of 2020 including its negotiations and sign off; the content of that tripartite agreement and issue of its being underwritten by RTÉ; the raising of associated invoices and related payments; the details of the invoices and who was aware of same; any instructions given by Mr. Ryan Tubridy to Mr. Noel Kelly and any further discussions in that regard before finalising the agreement; the call on 7 May 2020 and the letter that followed from Ms Dee Forbes to Mr. Ryan Turbridy; and any matters arising from material provided to the committee in advance of the meeting or materials provided by RTÉ to the committee.

I thank the witnesses for appearing. We did not have to compel them and I welcome the fact they attended voluntarily before this committee to assist in our examinations. Before I ask Mr. Tubridy for his opening statement, I must mention that the documents have come late. We were promised them yesterday morning. We did not receive them. Some members received them as they were travelling here this morning and only had sight of them in the past hour. I must also set out the position of the witnesses' legal adviser. I remind witnesses that the attendance of the legal adviser is with the agreement of the committee. He is not entitled to contribute, to disrupt the meeting or interfere with the conduct of the meeting in any way. I now call Mr. Tubridy to give his opening statement.