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

We will begin our deliberations. I advise members of the following formal substitutions for today's meeting. Deputy Thomas Gould will attend in substitution for Deputy Imelda Munster, Senator Marie Sherlock will attend in substitution for Senator Annie Hoey and Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú will attend in substitution for Deputy Chris Andrews. This meeting has been convened with the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and her officials to discuss 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 any officials will speak in public session. I will invite the Minister to deliver an opening statement that will be limited to five minutes. This will be followed by questions from members of the committee. The committee may publish the Minister's opening statement on its 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 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 in order to participate in our public meetings. I invite the Minister to make her opening statement.