Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour)
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We will consider the general scheme of the national cultural institutions (National Concert Hall) Bill 2014 with representatives from Raidió Teilifís Éireann. Is that agreed? Agreed. I welcome on behalf of RTE, Mr. John O'Kane, executive director, of RTE orchestras, quartet and choirs, Aodán Ó Dubhghaill Uasal, head of RTE Lyric FM and Ms Lorelei Harris, head of arts and cultural strategy.
I draw the witnesses' attention to the fact that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to this committee. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in respect of a particular matter and they continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. Witnesses are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. I advise witnesses that the opening statements and any other documents they have submitted to the committee may be published on the committee's website after the meeting. 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 any official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.
The purpose of the Bill we are considering is to give statutory status to the National Concert Hall in line with the governance and accountability regime that applies to other national cultural institutions. Accordingly, we already have scrutinised the general scheme of the Bill today with the assistance of officials from the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and representatives from the National Concert Hall. Today, the joint committee will continue that scrutiny with the assistance of the representatives in attendance from Raidió Teilifís Éireann. The joint committee will then prepare a report on the general scheme of the Bill and present it to the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Deputy Heather Humphreys.
I now invite the witnesses to make their opening statement.