Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I apologise to Mr. Gordon Jeyes and Ms Eibhlin Byrne for the delay. Democracy does not stand and wait for any of us to do our parliamentary duty.

This is the second presentation on the establishment of the child and family support agency. I welcome Mr. Gordon Jeyes, chief executive officer designate of the agency, who is joined by Ms Evelyn Byrne, and I thank them for attending.

I thank members for their contribution during the first part of the meeting. It would be appropriate to recognise that today is Rare Disease Day. We might reflect on the people suffering from rare diseases. An international conference on this issue is taking place in Dublin. Earlier we discussed philanthropy and we appreciate the many philanthropists who donate in our country, in particular, Atlantic Philanthropies, which has made a major contribution to our society.

I wish to remind our witnesses that they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to this committee. If they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in respect of a particular matter and they continue to so do, they will be entitled thereafter only to a 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 they 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. Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice, or long-standing ruling of the Chair, to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I invite Mr. Jeyes to make his opening remarks.