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

We have received apologies from Deputy Cannon who cannot be with us. Senator Marie Sherlock is attending in substitution for Senator Annie Hoey and we also welcome Deputy Thomas Gould who replaces Deputy Chris Andrews. They are all very welcome. The committee is meeting today with a number of RTÉ executives and its board to resume its discussion of the transparency of RTÉ’s expenditure of public funds and governance issues following the statements issued by the RTÉ board on 22 June 2023. The committee intends to resume its examination of relevant matters, including matters considered at its meetings of 28 June, 5 July, 11 July and 13 September 2023, and following the third Grant Thornton report on Toy Show The Musical, the McCann FitzGerald report, including voluntary exit packages, and, of course, the future funding challenges facing RTÉ.

At the outset, I wish to explain some limitations on parliamentary privilege and the practice of the Houses as regards references witnesses may make to other persons in their evidence. The evidence of witnesses who are physically present or who give evidence from within the parliamentary precincts is protected by absolute privilege pursuant to the Constitution and statute in respect of the presentation they make to the committee. However, a number of today's witnesses who are giving evidence remotely and from a place outside the parliamentary precincts, as such, may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as a witness physically present does. Such witnesses may think it appropriate to take legal advice on the matter. Persons giving evidence from other jurisdictions should be mindful of their domestic law and how it may apply to the evidence they give.

Witnesses are again 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 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 regard to an identifiable person or entity, witnesses will be directed to discontinue their remarks.

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 her or him 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 cannot permit a member to attend where he or she is not adhering to that constitutional requirement. Where members are attending remotely, I ask that they confirm they are attending from within Leinster House before making a contribution via Microsoft Teams, though I do not think that affects any of my colleagues today. Any member who attempts to attend from outside the 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 interest of natural justice, that members and witnesses alike act responsibly regarding utterances concerning those present today and those who are not present. I will intervene in any exchanges where I deem this not to be the case.

I now move to the agenda of today's meeting which is about the transparency of RTÉ's expenditure of public funds, governance issues, and the future funding challenges facing the organisation.

I welcome the representatives of RTÉ: Ms Siún Ní Raghallaigh, chair of the board; Mr. Kevin Bakhurst, director general; Ms Aideen Howard, board member; Ms Anne O'Leary, board member and chair of the audit and risk committee; Mr. Daire Hickey, board member; Mr. David Harvey, board member; Dr. P.J. Mathews, board member; Ms Susan Ahern, board member; Ms Eimear Cusack, director of human resources; and Mr. Adrian Lynch, director of audiences, channels and marketing. I also welcome Jonathan Ruane, board member, who is joining us via Microsoft Teams.

It should be noted that the following persons were also invited but, regrettably, are not in a position to attend today. They are: Ms Dee Forbes, former director general of RTÉ; Ms Geraldine O'Leary, former commercial director of RTÉ; Ms Breda O'Keeffe, former chief financial officer of RTÉ; Mr. Jim Jennings, former director of content at RTÉ; Mr. Richard Collins, former chief financial officer at RTÉ; Mr. Connor Murphy, former board member of RTÉ; Mr. Rory Coveney, former director of strategy at RTÉ; Ms Moya Doherty, former chair of RTÉ; and Mr. Ian Kehoe, former deputy chair of the board of RTÉ. A number of these invited guests were unable to attend on the grounds of illness and ill health. We wish them a speedy recovery.

The committee has received opening statements from Ms Ní Raghallaigh, Mr. Bakhurst and Ms Cusack for today's session. Is it agreed that we take those opening statements as read and proceed to questions? Agreed. Thank you. On second thoughts, perhaps the members would prefer it if the witnesses read their opening statements. We will afford them that opportunity.

I invite Ms Ní Raghallaigh to make her opening remarks.