David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We are back in public session. On behalf the committee, I welcome Ms June Tinsley from Barnardos; Ms Denise Charlton, chief executive of the Immigrant Council of Ireland; Mr. Jerry O'Connor, who is also from the Immigrant Council of Ireland; and Ms Sarah Benson and Ms Geraldine Rowley from Ruhama. I thank the witnesses for attending here today and for the submissions they supplied to the committee. The format for the meeting will be the same as previously. The witnesses will make brief opening remarks followed by a question-and-answer session.

Again, I draw witnesses' attention to the situation regarding privilege. Witnesses should note that they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the committee. If they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to so do, 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 asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against a person or persons or an entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. Members should be aware that under the salient rulings of the Chair, they should not comment on or make charges against a person outside the Houses or an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

Deputy Corcoran Kennedy has some questions for the delegation from the Immigrant Council of Ireland but she has been called away to the Dáil for a few minutes. With the committee's indulgence I will invite the Immigrant Council of Ireland to make its presentation after which the Deputy will ask her questions. Is that agreed? Agreed.