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

The purpose of the meeting is to have discussion with some of those who made a written submission on the review of legislation on prostitution in Ireland. The committee will hear from representatives of six organisations, including Women's Aid, Sex Workers Alliance Ireland, Ms Monica O'Connor, NUI Maynooth and the Irish Feminist Network. I understand Women's Aid representatives must leave soon and I propose to deal with them first. They can engage with members and then leave. On behalf of the committee I welcome the following: Ms Margaret Martin, director, Women's Aid, and Ms Monica Mazzone; Dr. Teresa Whitaker, SWAI; Ms Monica O'Connor; Dr. Jane Pillinger; Dr. Kathryn McGarry; and Ms Emma Regan.

We are in the middle of a process. We received more than 800 submissions on this topic and we are working through the issues in a thematic way as best we can. We still have a great deal of work to do. I ask each contributor to make a brief opening statement and perhaps to confine it to five minutes. We have the written submissions and members will then engage in a question and answer session.

Before we begin, I draw attention to the fact that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses 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, criticise 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.

I call Ms Martin to make her presentation. Deputy Collins is the lead questioner and he will then engage with her. Others may intervene if they wish.