Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)

No apologies have been received. Today, we are having ministerial engagement regarding key priorities and legislation in the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport. This meeting has been convened with the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Deputy Patrick O’Donovan, and the Minister of State with responsibility for sport and postal policy, Deputy Charlie McConalogue, to discuss key priorities and legislation of the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport. It is the first time they are in front of the committee. They are very welcome and best wishes to them for their years ahead.

The committee has also given notice that it wishes to engage with the Minister and the Minister of State on the following: matters relating to governance and Department oversight of same internally in respect of bodies under its aegis; the revised scheme of the broadcasting amendment Bill, of which we are going through pre-legislative scrutiny at the moment; matters relating to the reappointment process for the director of the Arts Council; and matters relating to the review of the basic income for the arts scheme. There will probably be a diverse range of other issues that will come up as well.

I welcome the Minister, Deputy O’Donovan, the Minister of State, Deputy McConalogue, and their officials to the meeting in committee room 1. As the Minister and Minister of State are present, it is not expected that officials will speak in public session, but we can be liberal enough in that if needs be. That is a matter for the Minister and Minister of State.

The format of today’s meeting is such that I will invite the Minister and Minister of State to deliver an opening statement, which is limited to five minutes. This will then be followed by questions from members of the committee. As the Minister and Minister of State are probably aware, the committee will publish these opening statements on its website. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Before we proceed to opening statements, I remind members of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect 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 invite the Minister, Deputy O’Donovan, to make his opening statement to the committee.