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

We have received apologies from Deputies Andrews, Fitzpatrick and Christopher O'Sullivan and Senator Warfield. Senator Sherlock will be substituting for Senator Hoey. We have also received apologies from Deputy Mattie McGrath.

Today the committee is meeting with members of the RTÉ board who are very welcome. Some members of the board, in particular Ms Siún Ní Raghallaigh, the chair, Mr. Robert Shortt, Ms Anne O'Leary and a few others have been here before. We are delighted to have them all with us and I thank them and members of the executive for taking the time to be with us today. It is also our first opportunity to hear from the new director general, Mr. Kevin Bakhurst.

The purpose of today's meeting is to meet with members of the board and the interim leadership team to resume our discussions on the transparency of RTÉ's expenditure of public funds and governance issues following the statement issued by the RTÉ board on 22 June. At the outset of the meeting, I wish to explain some limitations regarding parliamentary privilege and the practice of the Houses as regards references made by witnesses 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. However, a number of the witnesses are giving evidence remotely from outside the parliamentary precincts, and both gentlemen are very welcome. As such they may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as witnesses physically present do. Such witnesses may think it appropriate to take legal advice on the matter. Those giving evidence from other jurisdictions should also be mindful of their domestic law and how it may apply to the evidence they give.

Witnesses are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that 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 good name of that 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 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 also 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 that constitutional requirement. Any members who attempt to attend from outside the parliamentary precincts will be asked to leave the meeting.

I emphasise to members and witnesses alike that it is imperative that today's meeting is conducted in a fair and respectful manner at all times. It is important, in the interests of natural justice, that members and witnesses act responsibly in relation to utterances concerning those present today and those who are not present. I will intervene in any exchanges where I deem this is not the case.

I will move on to the agenda of today's meeting, namely, the examination of the transparency of RTÉ's expenditure of public funds and governance. I welcome everyone to committee room 3. We have quite a few witnesses with us today. I welcome Ms Siún Ní Raghallaigh, chair of the board; Ms Anne O'Leary, board member and chair of the audit and risk committee; Mr. Robert Shortt, member of the audit and risk committee and board staff representative; Mr. Ian Kehoe, board member and deputy chair; Mr. Kevin Bakhurst, director general; Dr. PJ Mathews, board member; Mr. David Harvey, board member; Mr. Jonathan Ruane, board member; Ms Eimear Cusack, director of human resources; Mr. Mike Fives, group financial controller; Mr. Adrian Lynch, director of audiences, channels and marketing and acting deputy director general, who is no stranger to these committee rooms; and Ms Paula Mullooly, director of legal affairs. I thank them for making the time to be with us today.

We are also joined on Microsoft Teams by board members Mr. Conor Murphy and Mr. Daire Hickey. We have received apologies from board member Ms Susan Ahern. That is the housekeeping out of the way.

The format of today's meeting is such that I will invite witnesses to deliver their opening statements. There are two opening statements which are limited to five minutes each. As the witnesses will be aware, the committee will publish the opening statements and supporting documentation received on its webpage. The opening statements will be followed by questions from my colleagues on the committee. I also propose that we include a short comfort break at 3 p.m., midway through our session. Is that agreed? Agreed.

I invite Ms Ní Raghallaigh to make her opening remarks.