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

We have received apologies for Senator Warfield. I also wish to advise members of the formal substitutions for today's meeting. Senator Garret Ahearn is substituting for Senator Micheál Carrigy while Senator Marie Sherlock is substituting for Senator Annie Hoey.

The meeting has been convened with the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to discuss the oversight of RTÉ's expenditure of public funds and governance issues and plans for longer term support and funding for public service media. I welcome the Minister and her officials to the meeting. As the Minister is present, it is not expected that officials will speak in public session. I see members of the media are in the Public Gallery. They are very welcome.

The format of today's meeting today is such that I will invite the Minister to deliver an opening statement, which will be limited to five minutes. This will be followed by questions from members. As the Minister is probably aware, the committee may publish the opening statement on the committee website. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Members are 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 him, her or it identifiable. I 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. I now invite the Minister to make her opening statement.