Malcolm Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Today we are having a discussion around the support and development of regional film and television production. Our committee has been strongly supportive of this and we are very appreciative of the work of everybody within the sector and indeed of the golden period that Ireland is currently experiencing. We want to look at ways in which we as a committee can support that and in terms of recommendations that will go from this committee to both our Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Deputy Catherine Martin, and to the Minister for Finance.

We are meeting today with representatives from Screen Producers Ireland, Animation Ireland, Ardmore and Troy Studios, Telegael and Ardán to resume our examination of supports for the development of regional film and TV production.

I welcome, from Screen Producers Ireland: Mr. Anthony Muldoon, director of strategic policy, Mr. James Hickey, Copper Alley Productions and board member, and Ms Maggie Breathnach, Red Shoe Productions and board member; from Animation Ireland: Mr. Ronan McCabe, chief executive officer, Ms Catherine Keane, head of legal affairs at Cartoon Saloon in Kilkenny, and Ms Moe Honan, industry chair of Animation Ireland and owner and producer at Moetion Films in Galway, who is joining us on MS Teams; from Ardmore and Troy Studios: Ms Elaine Geraghty, managing director; from Telegael: Mr. Paul Cummins, chief executive officer; and from Ardán: Mr. Alan Duggan, chief executive officer, and Mr. Gar O'Brien Collins, Western Region Audiovisual Production, WRAP, executive.

The format of today's meeting is that the witnesses from the representative groups will be invited to deliver an opening statement of about three minutes. That will be followed by questions and answers from members of the committee. As the witnesses will be aware, the committee will publish the opening statements on its web page.

Before we proceed to the opening statements, I will explain some limitations to parliamentary privilege and the practice of the Houses regarding references that witnesses may make to other persons in their evidence. The evidence of witnesses 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. However, a number of today's witnesses are giving evidence remotely and from places outside the parliamentary precincts and, 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, although it might be a bit late to do that now. 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. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction.

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 invite Mr. Muldoon to make his opening statement.