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

The committee is meeting with officials from the Departments of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and Finance, in addition to representatives from Screen Ireland, Coimisiún na Meán, RTÉ and TG4, to discuss support for the development of regional film and TV production. I warmly welcome the witnesses to committee room 4. We have a full house and it is lovely to have them all with us. I welcome Ms Mary Nash, principal officer, from the arts, film and investment unit at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media; Mr. Rónán Ó Domhnaill, media development commissioner, and Ms Sinéad Crowley, director of media development, at Coimisiún na Meán; Ms Désirée Finnegan, CEO, and Ms Libbie McQuillan, director of industry and corporate affairs, at Screen Ireland; Mr. Dermot Horan, director of acquisitions and co-productions, and Ms Vivienne Flood, head of public affairs, at RTÉ; Mr. Alan Esslemont, director general, and Ms Lís Ní Dhálaigh, director of marketing, development and partnerships, at TG4; and Ms Deirdre Donaghy, principal officer, and Mr. Ian Kavanagh, assistant principal officer, from the business tax unit at the Department of Finance.

The format of today's meeting is such that I will invite witnesses to deliver their opening statements, which are limited to three minutes each.

That will be followed by questions from my colleagues on the committee. As members are aware, the committee may publish opening statements and briefing documentation on its website.

Deputy Munster is joining us via Microsoft Teams. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Before we proceed, I wish to explain some limitations on parliamentary privilege and the practice of the Houses as regards references that may be made to other persons in evidence. The evidence of witnesses who are physically present or who give evidence from within the parliamentary precincts is protected pursuant to both the Constitution and statute by absolute privilege in respect of the presentation they make to the committee. Witnesses are again reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not criticise or make charges against a 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 that person or entity. Therefore, if your statements are potentially defamatory in relation to any identifiable person or entity, you will be directed to discontinue your 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 outside the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I again remind members of the constitutional requirement that they must be physically present within the confines of Leinster House to participate in the public meeting.

I propose that we proceed to the opening statements. I have received apologies from Deputy Alan Dillon, which is noted. The order of speakers will be Ms Nash, Mr. Ó Domhnaill, Ms Finnegan, Mr. Horan, Mr. Esslemont and Mr. Kavanagh. I ask to be excused as I must attend to business outside the meeting. I will not be long. In my absence, I ask Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan to take the Chair.