Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the committee I welcome Ms Marie Brown from Foyle Women's Aid. Ms Jo Corcoran is here as well. No doubt they made the trip down this morning from Derry.

We look forward to the presentation, particularly on its work. Afterwards members will make a few observations and may ask questions. The committee would be delighted to hear the input of the delegation.

Before I invite the witnesses to make their presentation, I advise them that they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of utterances at this committee. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease to make remarks on a particular matter but continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter to only a qualified privilege in respect of their remarks. They are directed that only comments and evidence related directly to the subject matter of this meeting are to be given and they are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against a Member of either House of the Oireachtas, a person outside the Houses or an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I call on Ms Marie Brown to proceed with her opening statement.