Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
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We will now consider the topic of the protection of marine historical sites, including the Lusitania site, and the licensing of diving at these sites and the topic of human resources issues in the National Museum of Ireland with representatives of the National Museum of Ireland. We thank the witnesses for coming before the committee. We appreciate their presence. We have many important questions for them. We understand they are part of a team seeking to fix many of these situations and resolve the difficulties that have been experienced within the National Museum of Ireland.

I formally welcome Ms Catherine Heaney, chairperson, and Raghnall Ó Floinn Uasal, director of the National Museum of Ireland.

Before we start, I draw the witnesses' attention to the fact that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, they 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 regarding a particular matter and they continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. They 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 or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. I also advise them that the opening statement and any other documents they have submitted to the committee may be published on the committee website after this 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 an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

We will submit the minutes of today's meeting to the Minister for her perusal.

I now call on the witnesses to address the committee. Do they have an initial address with which they would like to start off or would they prefer to go into questions straight away?