Results 121-140 of 1,812 for at speaker:Niamh Smyth

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Transparency of RTÉ Expenditure of Public Funds and Governance Issues: Discussion (Resumed) (11 Jul 2023)

Niamh Smyth: -----so that I can take some advice. Senator Carrigy, I have been told that this question is not within remit. If Mr. Kelly does want to answer he may, although I take it from it his comments he does not want to answer that question at this moment in time.

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Transparency of RTÉ Expenditure of Public Funds and Governance Issues: Discussion (Resumed) (11 Jul 2023)

Niamh Smyth: We will conclude the Senator's slot there. I will explain to our witnesses where we are. I know they are exhausted. We are near the end of the day. We are at the three-hour point now because we were a little late starting and a little late back from the break. They will be happy to know that I am the last person who has any latitude to ask questions. I will keep them to four minutes...

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Transparency of RTÉ Expenditure of Public Funds and Governance Issues: Discussion (Resumed) (11 Jul 2023)

Niamh Smyth: Mr. Kelly has been at pains today to remind my colleagues and the public that he has worked with RTÉ for the past 23 years. Am I right?

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Transparency of RTÉ Expenditure of Public Funds and Governance Issues: Discussion (Resumed) (11 Jul 2023)

Niamh Smyth: At what point in his career was Mr. Tubridy advised by someone in RTÉ to not be a direct employee and to go solo, as he said, and get himself an external contract.

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Transparency of RTÉ Expenditure of Public Funds and Governance Issues: Discussion (Resumed) (11 Jul 2023)

Niamh Smyth: We appreciate Mr. Tubridy and Mr. Kelly and their colleagues who have been here today. We appreciate it has been a difficult day but we value the fact they came forward of their own volition to the Committee of Public Accounts and our committee to help us with our deliberations. It is much appreciated. At tomorrow's meeting, we will consider the future of sports broadcasting in Ireland....

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Transparency of RTÉ Expenditure of Public Funds and Governance Issues: Discussion (Resumed) (5 Jul 2023)

Niamh Smyth: I welcome the witnesses. Apologies have been received from Senator Shane Cassells. The committee is meeting today with current and former representatives from RTÉ to resume our discussions and deliberations regarding recent revelations concerning the transparency of RTÉ's expenditure of public funds and governance issues, following the statements issued by the RTÉ board on...

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Transparency of RTÉ Expenditure of Public Funds and Governance Issues: Discussion (Resumed) (5 Jul 2023)

Niamh Smyth: Deputy McGrath, is that question directed at somebody specifically?

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Transparency of RTÉ Expenditure of Public Funds and Governance Issues: Discussion (Resumed) (5 Jul 2023)

Niamh Smyth: Deputy McGrath, I remind you, although I know you do not need reminding, that the Minister has already said she will put in place an external auditor and professional, and there are two reviews under way. Let us not make accusations at the moment. Let us have our deliberation and our discussion. I appreciate it is frustrating for both sides, but let us stay respectful in all this. Have...

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Transparency of RTÉ Expenditure of Public Funds and Governance Issues: Discussion (Resumed) (5 Jul 2023)

Niamh Smyth: ...everybody a moment's break. There are 14 colleagues on this committee and I am only on colleague number five, so I propose when we get to colleague number seven, to make sure we have heard from at least half of the committee, we will then take a break. Is that okay with witnesses? Are they happy to continue? It will hopefully only take another ten or 15 minutes. We will then come back...

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Transparency of RTÉ Expenditure of Public Funds and Governance Issues: Discussion (Resumed) (5 Jul 2023)

Niamh Smyth: Sorry, can I just go back over that, Mr. Collins? I am really hesitant to accept the line of anything being commercially sensitive at this point in time. Will he repeat why it is commercially sensitive?

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Transparency of RTÉ Expenditure of Public Funds and Governance Issues: Discussion (Resumed) (5 Jul 2023)

Niamh Smyth: Okay, but to answer my question, was any consideration given to the timing? I was at it by the way, but it obviously clashed with a lot of pantos and musicals around the city centre. I remember there was much discussion in the public domain at the time about the impact this was having on the livelihoods of artists, creators, makers and producers who have been at this for years.

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Transparency of RTÉ Expenditure of Public Funds and Governance Issues: Discussion (Resumed) (5 Jul 2023)

Niamh Smyth: I will go back to my question. Was there any consideration given to the impact this might have on the creative industries already in place? Mr. Coveney will say this was a musical, but we all attend the pantos at Christmastime and in the new year. Was there any consideration given to the impact?

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Transparency of RTÉ Expenditure of Public Funds and Governance Issues: Discussion (Resumed) (5 Jul 2023)

Niamh Smyth: That brings an end to my line of questions. I thank the representatives very much for their co-operation today. I know it has been not just been a difficult day; it has been a difficult couple of weeks. I hope the witnesses feel they have been treated fairly and respectfully at all times. It has been my utmost priority to do that for everybody. I will now open the floor to a few...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (29 Jun 2023)

Niamh Smyth: I will direct my question to the Minister of State with responsibility for mental health and older people. As she knows, I have for a long time implored the Government to deliver on more services for young people around mental health issues. The reason I say that is I am very sadly confident that Cavan-Monaghan is a black spot when it comes to suicide among our very young population. I...

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Transparency of RTÉ Expenditure of Public Funds and Governance Issues: Discussion (28 Jun 2023)

Niamh Smyth: We undoubtedly have our full quorum and I thank my colleagues for being here. Deputy Andrews, as a valued member of this committee, is a connected person with a material interest in the subject matter that is to be discussed so he will not be in attendance. He is being substituted by Deputy Brady, who is here with us and who is welcome. Senator Sherlock is substituting in place of Senator...

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Transparency of RTÉ Expenditure of Public Funds and Governance Issues: Discussion (28 Jun 2023)

Niamh Smyth: We will have a private session at the end of this and articulate the views of the committee concluding this hearing today. I just want to make that point that these are the Deputy's own personal views.

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Transparency of RTÉ Expenditure of Public Funds and Governance Issues: Discussion (28 Jun 2023)

Niamh Smyth: I am mindful that I said we would have a five-minute sos to give everyone an opportunity to get a mouthful of water or whatever else is required. Would it be okay to do this now? Does Deputy Dillon mind if we take our five minutes now and give everybody an opportunity to leave the room, go to the ladies or do whatever they need to? No. We will resume at 3.05 p.m.

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Transparency of RTÉ Expenditure of Public Funds and Governance Issues: Discussion (28 Jun 2023)

Niamh Smyth: All going well, there is no reason this committee cannot be fully informed about this as early as Friday evening or Monday morning at the latest. Is that a fair assumption?