Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)

We have received an apology from Deputy Micheál Carrigy. I ask all present to ensure their phones are on silent or switched off.

Today's meeting has been convened with officials from the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, which is a new title. Where has arts gone? We are also joined by representatives from Coimisiún na Meán, RTÉ and Screen Ireland for the committee's first public engagement on the revised general scheme of the broadcasting (amendment) Bill.

I warmly welcome, from the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, Mr. Adam Larragy, principal officer, and Ms Sarah Taaffe, assistant principal officer. From RTÉ, I welcome Mr. Steve Carson, director of video, who must know this place very well at this stage, it being his second time here in two weeks; Ms Eleanor Bleahane, solicitor and head of regulatory, and Mr. Dermot Horan, director of acquisitions and co-productions. From Coimisiún na Meán, we have Ms Aoife McEvilly, broadcasting and video-on-demand commissioner; Mr. Rónán Ó Domhnaill, media development commissioner, and Mr. Andrew Byrne, director of public service media. From Screen Ireland, we welcome Ms Libbie McQuillan, director of industry and corporate affairs, and Ms Louise Ryan, head of communications, marketing and public affairs. I thank the witnesses for attending.

The format for today's meeting is that I will invite the witnesses to deliver an opening statement, which will be limited to four minutes. This will be followed by questions from members. As the witnesses are probably aware, the committee may publish the opening statements on its web page, and we will do that. Is that agreed? Agreed.

I wish to clarify some limitations with regard to parliamentary privilege and the practice of the Houses as regards references witnesses 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. This means they have an absolute defence against defamation action for anything they say at this meeting. However, they are expected not to abuse this privilege and it is my duty as Chair to ensure it is not abused. Therefore, if witnesses' statements are potentially defamatory with regard to an identifiable person or entity, they 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 outside the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

We will hear the opening statements in the following order: Mr. Adam Larragy on behalf of the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport; Ms Aoife McEvilly on behalf of Coimisiún na Meán; Mr. Steve Carson on behalf of RTÉ; and Ms Libbie McQuillan on behalf of Screen Ireland. We will then proceed to questions and answers with members. Members have six minutes' speaking time but, depending on how many members are present, we may be a bit more liberal.