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

We look forward to working with our new committee member. Deputy Ó Snodaigh is also a very experienced chairperson of two Oireachtas committees; well done.

I thank Deputy Munster who was an extremely hardworking member of this committee. I propose that we write her to thank her for her invaluable contribution to the committee over the past almost five years. Is that agreed colleagues? Agreed.

We have some committee business to dispose of before we hear opening statements. First, I welcome the witnesses and thank them for joining us. Please bear with us as we go through housekeeping.

Is it agreed that the minutes of our meeting of 10 July are formally agreed and there are no matters arising? Agreed.

This meeting has been convened today for detailed scrutiny of the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2023. It is a Private Members' Bill sponsored by Deputy Patrick Costello, which proposes to amend the Broadcasting Act 2009 to provide for greater public access to RTÉ's archives The purpose of the committee's scrutiny is to assess the Bill from a policy, legal and financial perspective with a view to the select committee recommending whether the Bill should proceed to Committee Stage. To this end, we will consider the Bill today in two separate session. In the first session the Bill's sponsor, Deputy Costello, will introduce the Bill. We will also hear from representatives from RTÉ and officials from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. Following a short suspension we will resume for further consideration of the Bill with the industry stakeholders and experts who may be with us in the Gallery today and they are all very welcome.

Members will assist us in considering the Bill as comprehensively as possible. I propose that Deputy Costello is given further time at the close of today's sessions to provide any further clarification or comment necessary arising from today's consideration of the Bill. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Moving to the business at hand, I warmly welcome the following witnesses: our esteemed colleague and Bill sponsor, Deputy Patrick Costello; from the broadcasting policy unit of the Department, Mr. Stephen Ryan, principal officer, and Mr. Steven Finnegan, assistant principal officer; from RTÉ, Ms Bríd Dooley, head of the library and archives; Mr. Daniel Cody, director of legal affairs; Mr. Dermot Horan, director of acquisitions and co-productions; and Ms Vivienne Flood, head of public affairs and strategy.

The format of today's meeting is such that I will invite our witnesses to deliver opening remarks, for no longer than five minutes, and I ask colleagues to try and stick with the time given, commencing with the sponsor of the Bill, Deputy Costello. After the Deputy makes his introductory remarks, members will be afforded an opportunity to pose initial questions they may have on his contribution. We will then proceed to hearing opening statements from the Department and RTÉ, which are limited to three minutes. This will then be followed by a questions and answer session from members of the committee, following the speaking rota which all members have received.

As the witnesses are probably aware, the committee may publish the opening statements on its webpage? Is that agreed? Agreed.

Before we hear from them, I wish to explain some limitations to parliamentary privilege and the practice of the Houses as regards references they make to other persons or 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.

This means they have absolute defence against any defamation action for anything they say at the meeting. However, they are expected not to abuse this privilege and it is my duty as Chair to ensure this privilege is not abused. 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 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 relation to the identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative 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 inside the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way to make him or her identifiable. I propose we proceed with the scrutiny of the Bill and call Deputy Costello for his opening statement and introduction to the Bill.