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

I welcome Ms Moira O'Mara, who is a director in the Department of Children and Youth Affairs; Mr. John Bohan, who is a principal officer in the Department of Social Protection; and Ms Caitríona O'Brien, who is a principal officer in the social inclusion section of the Department of Education and Skills. This is the third in a series of meetings examining the need to tackle childhood poverty. I compliment and thank the Vice Chairman of the committee, Deputy Conway, for requesting that we include this issue in our work programme and for acting as rapporteur on the topic. We heard some challenging, interesting and enriching presentations at our first two meetings in this series. I hope that will continue today. I thank all of our witnesses most sincerely for taking the time to attend this morning's meeting.

I remind 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 relation to a particular matter and they continue to so do, they will be 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 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 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 by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I welcome our witnesses again. I ask Ms O'Mara to make some opening remarks.