Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)

I have apologies from Senator Eileen Lynch.

I am happy to say we will engage with representatives of the three regional assemblies in Ireland. We are joined by Councillor David Healy, cathaoirleach, and Councillor Robert Power from the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly; Councillor Micheál Frain, cathaoirleach, and Councillor Eileen Mannion from the Northern and Western Regional Assembly; and Councillor Andrew McGuinness, cathaoirleach, and Councillor Gillian Coughlan, who we know from last week, from the Southern Regional Assembly. They have been listed in alphabetical order, in case anybody is concerned about the order in which they are appearing. I also welcome all three directors of the regional assemblies, who are available to assist if any issue arises.

The purpose of today's meeting is to discuss the role of EU funding within the regions, how it is managed and overseen and how EU matters are co-ordinated within the regions. This builds upon the informative and fruitful meeting we had last week with the president of the European Committee of the Regions and the Irish delegation.

Sula leanfaimid ar aghaidh, tá mé chun fógra beag gairid a dhéanamh. Tá sé de dhualgas orm na rialacha agus na treoracha seo a leanas a leagan faoi bhráid na bhfinnéithe uile. Molaim d'fhinnéithe a bheith cúramach agus fianaise á tabhairt acu. Má ordaíonn mé dóibh éirí as fianaise a thabhairt i leith ní áirithe, ba chóir go ndéanfaidh siad amhlaidh láithreach. Ordaítear dóibh gan aon fhianaise a thabhairt nach fianaise í a bhaineann le hábhar na n-imeachtaí atá á bplé againn. Ba chóir dóibh a bheith ar an eolas go ndéanfar na ráitis tosaigh a chuir siad faoi bhráid an chomhchoiste a fhoilsiú ar shuíomh gréasáin an chomhchoiste tar éis an chruinnithe seo.

Iarrtar ar fhinnéithe agus ar chomhaltaí araon cleachtadh parlaiminte a urramú nár chóir, más féidir, daoine ná eintiteas a cháineadh, líomhaintí a dhéanamh ina n-aghaidh ná tuairimí a thabhairt maidir leo ina ainm, ina hainm nó ina n-ainm ar shlí a bhféadfaí iad a aithint. Chomh maith leis sin, iarrtar orthu gan aon rud a rá a d'fhéadfaí breathnú air mar ábhar díobhálach do dhea-chlú aon duine nó eintiteas. Mar sin, dá bhféadfaí a ráitis a bheith clúmhillteach do dhuine nó eintiteas aitheanta, ordóidh mé dóibh éirí as an ráiteas láithreach. Tá sé rithábhachtach go ngéillfidh siad leis an ordú sin láithreach. That is a warning on privilege.

One member is joining online. He has confirmed he is within the precincts of Leinster House. There is a constitutional obligation on members to be here. I thank them all for that.

I will let the witnesses know the format for this meeting. They each have five minutes for their opening statements, as they know. We will then go to members, who will each have five minutes for questions and answers. I assure them that if they feel there is anything unsaid at the end, they are welcome to come back in. We will not cut anyone off in that regard.

As I said, we will go in alphabetical order. I call on Councillor Healy, cathaoirleach of the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly, to make his opening statement.