Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome everyone to this meeting in the week of International Women's Day, which will deal specifically with women with disabilities. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss "Nothing about us without us - achieving equal rights and equity for women with disabilities" and to celebrate women with disabilities in the context of International Women's Day, which took place yesterday. We recognise that women and girls with disabilities are subject to multiple forms of discrimination and that positive measures need to be taken to ensure they are protected against multiple forms of discrimination and can enjoy human rights and fundamental freedoms on a basis equal with that of other citizens, which is called for by Article 6 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, UNCRPD.

The committee recognises the scale of the work ahead and that the rights of women and girls with disabilities must be included in all actions aimed at implementing the UN xonvention. It has been pointed out over the past 48 hours that 25% of women with disabilities in our country live in poverty. As a committee, we should strive to do whatever we can to advance the causes of all people with disabilities and in particular women. One quarter of women with disabilities live in poverty, which is a frightening statistic that we should bear in mind at all times.

On my own behalf and on that of the committee, I extend a warm welcome to Ms Catherine Lane, women in local, community and rural development officer at the National Women's Council of Ireland; and to Ms Maureen McGovern, disability community activist, and Ms Selina Bonnie, vice chairperson of the Independent Living Movement Ireland, who are appearing on behalf of the National Women's Council. I also welcome Ms Amy Hassett and Ms Maria Ní Fhlatharta, co-directors of Disabled Women Ireland.

I remind members that they are allowed to participate in this meeting only if they are physically located in the Leinster House complex. In this regard, I ask that those who are joining us remotely confirm they are on the grounds of the Leinster House campus prior to making a contribution to the meeting. A good number of members have joined us for the meeting in the Dáil Chamber and I welcome them.

For the information of anyone watching the meeting online, I point out that witnesses are accessing the meeting remotely. Due to the unprecedented circumstances, I ask everybody to bear with us should any technical matters arise, which they do from time to time.

Before we begin, I draw the attention of members and witnesses to the issue of parliamentary privilege. 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 nor make charges against any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. Witnesses giving evidence from a location outside of the parliamentary precincts should note that the constitutional protection afforded to witnesses attending to give evidence before committees may not extend to them. No clear guidance can be given on whether, or the extent to which, the evidence given is covered by absolute privilege of a statutory nature. Persons giving evidence from other jurisdictions should also be mindful of their domestic statutory regime. If witnesses are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter, they must respect that direction.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise nor make charges against a person or an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I invite Ms Lane of the National Women's Council of Ireland to make her opening remarks.