Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)

We received no apologies from TDs. We have an apology from Senator Rónán Mullen.

Before we begin, I welcome our visitors from the Chinese delegation. They are very welcome to our committee. I thank them for being with us. They include Mr. Luo Shugang, a member of the standing committee of the National People's Congress and Chair of the education, science, culture and public health committee of the National People's Congress; His Excellency, Ambassador Zhao Xiyuan; Mr. Li Wei, a member of the standing committee of the National People's Congress and member of the education, science, culture and public health committee of the National People's Congress; and Mr. Yang Jiancheng, director of the general office of the education, science, culture and public health committee of the National People's Congress. This delegation, along with the ambassador are very welcome today. We had a good engagement earlier on as a committee. We thank them for their invitation to reciprocate the visit in the coming year. We hope they have a very enjoyable and fruitful trip. I know they have been here since yesterday. We hope they have a very enjoyable trip over the coming days. It has been a pleasure to meet them all. We look forward to engaging with them again in the future through their ambassador.

Today's meeting has been convened with officials from the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport and representatives from Coimisiún na Meán to discuss challenges in the implementation of Coimisiún na Meán's Code of Fairness, Impartiality and Objectivity in News and Current Affairs. I welcome the following witnesses to committee room 1. From the communications division of the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, I welcome Ms Tríona Quill, assistant secretary at the media and broadcasting division; and Mr. Adam Larragy, principal officer. From Coimisiún na Meán, I welcome Ms Aoife MacEvilly, broadcasting and video-on-demand commissioner; Ms Louise McLoughlin, director of broadcasting and video-on-demand compliance; and Mr. Declan McLoughlin, director of codes and rules. They are all very welcome. I thank them for taking the time to come today.

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

Before we move to today's discussions, I wish to clarify some limitations relating 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 presentations they make to this committee. This means they have an absolute defence against defamation action for anything they say at the meeting. However, they are expected not to abuse this privilege, and is my duty as Chair to ensure they do not abuse this. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an 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 outside the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. Is that agreed? Agreed.

I invite Ms Quill to make her opening statement.