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

The purpose of the meeting is to have a discussion with some of those who made written submissions on the review of the legislation on prostitution in Ireland. The joint committee will hear from two organisations and two individuals. On its behalf, I welcome Dr. Derek Freedman and Ms Linda Latham. From Doras Luimní I welcome Ms Patricia Stapleton, anti-trafficking officer, and Ms Okeremute Okeregha, legal officer; and from Gay Men's Health Service, I welcome Mr. Michael Quinlan, manager, and Mr. Daniel McCartney, researcher, Gay Health Network. The format of the meeting is that we will hear from the representatives of each organisation and individual who will make opening remarks for five minutes or thereabouts, as we have received the submissions, which will be followed by a question and answer session.

Before we begin, I draw attention to the position on privilege. Witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they are to give to the committee. However, if they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to do so, 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 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 ask everyone to switch off his or her mobile phone. Leaving it in silent mode is not good enough because it interferes with the recording system; therefore, it should be switched off completely.

I invite Dr. Freedman to make his opening statement. I understand he is making a Powerpoint presentation.