James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We have received apologies from Deputy Mark Ward. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire is substituting for Deputy Ward and I am sure he will join us shortly. This is the first of two sessions today. In this session we will engage with Ms Nuala Egan, who has been appointed chair of the Legal Aid Board. Ms Egan is very welcome to our committee, we are delighted to have her with us and we thank her for coming in. I would also like to thank her for accommodating us in having the meeting at a slightly earlier time than planned. We have quite a busy programme at the moment and are trying to get through quite a lot of business. The format of the meeting is that I will invite Ms Egan to make a brief opening statement, before having engagement with members as per usual.

I remind all present of the long-standing parliamentary practice not to criticise or make charges against any person or entity in such a way as to make them identifiable or otherwise engage in speech that might be defamatory or damaging to their good name.

I invite Ms Egan to address the committee and I will then take questions and submissions from members.