Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Good morning. Members participating in the meeting remotely are required to do so from within the precincts of Leinster House only. I remind all those in attendance to make sure that their mobile phones are switched off or on silent mode.

I welcome the witnesses. I wish to point out that they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the presentations they make to the committee. This means they have an absolute defence against any defamation action for anything they say at this meeting. However, they are expected not to abuse this privilege and it is my duty as Cathaoirleach to ensure this privilege is not abused. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory in respect of an identifiable person or entity, witnesses will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative they comply with any such direction. 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 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 the person or entity.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against any person or entity outside the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

The committee will consider the effect of financing for voluntary and community organisations, as well as State grant aid support and the need for such organisations to acquire bridging finance. Some of these grant schemes come directly under the remit of the Department of Rural and Community Development, which includes the islands, while other funding programmes have a direct impact on the long-term viability of many of these communities. Members of this committee have direct experience of the challenges faced in securing local matching funding and bridging finance for grant programmes, such as the sports capital grant scheme, the LEADER rural development programme, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland grants, the outdoor recreation scheme and the just transition fund, to name but a few.

The committee wishes to explore innovative ways to bridge this challenge and has sought presentations from two organisations working in this area. The first is the Western Development Commission, which has identified the need for such support and has developed a financing model with the local LEADER companies, although this is only one aspect of the challenge faced by local communities. The second is Philanthropy Ireland, the umbrella organisation for philanthropy in Ireland. Philanthropy has historically not been well developed as a sector in this country. However, the Minister of State, Deputy Joe O'Brien, is determined to change this with the publication earlier this year of the draft national policy on philanthropy. This draft plan and the experience of the witnesses present today, along with the first-hand understanding of the challenges that each member of this committee knows, provides us with an opportunity to feed into the Minister of State, Deputy O'Brien's plan to help to address these challenges head-on.

From the Western Development Commission, I welcome Mr. Allan Mulrooney, chief executive office, and Ms Gillian Buckley, investment manager. From Philanthropy Ireland, I welcome Ms Éilis Murray, chief executive officer, Ms Hazel Hennessy, communications manager, and Mr. Dónal Traynor, chief executive officer of Community Finance Ireland.

I ask Mr. Mulrooney to make his opening statement.