Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the committee, I welcome Ms Emma Murtagh, senior EU programmes manager for The Wheel, and Mr. Ivan Cooper, CEO of The Wheel. The Wheel is the national association of charities, community groups and social enterprises. It provides leadership to the charity and community sector and advocates on behalf of its members. It also offers advice, training and other opportunities to workers or volunteers in the charity or community sectors. I welcome Mr. Terence Connolly and Mr. Karl Murphy of the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly, an organisation of which I was once a member. I also welcome Dr. Travis O’Doherty of the Northern and Western Regional Assembly and Ms Rose Power of the Southern Regional Assembly. The regional assemblies were established in 2015 under the Local Government Reform Act 2014. The assemblies forge links between the EU, national and local levels through regional spatial and economic planning and the European Regional Development Fund. The witnesses are all very welcome.

The purpose of the meeting is to discuss matters relating to unlocking EU funding. Before we get into it, there are a couple of housekeeping matters we must address at the start of each meeting.

All 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 or her identifiable or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of the 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 and it is imperative that they comply with any such direction.

Members are reminded of the long-standing 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 remind members that there is a constitutional requirement that they must be physically present within the confines of Leinster House complex to participate in public meetings. I cannot permit members to participate where they are not adhering to this requirement. Therefore, any member who attempts to participate from outside will be asked to leave the meeting. In this regard, I ask members participating via MS Teams to confirm they are within the Leinster House complex prior to making their contribution.

With that bit of housekeeping done and dusted, it is time to call on Ms Emma Murtagh from The Wheel to make her opening statement.