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

I remind people in the Visitors Gallery, witnesses and Members of the Houses to turn off their mobile telephones rather than leave them on silent because they interfere with the broadcasting of the proceedings and it is unfair to staff. We have received apologies from Deputy Catherine Byrne.

Apologies have also been received from Deputy Regina Doherty, who will be late, Senator Imelda Henry and Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick. We also have an apology from Senator John Gilroy who will be replaced by Senator Aideen Hayden.

Following on from the recent "Prime Time" programme which revealed a shocking insight into certain child care facilities, members of the committee took a unanimous view on the need to convene a meeting to deal with this issue. We invited the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, the HSE and other key stakeholders in the child care area to discuss what was an appalling exposéand insight into some of the activities correctly exposed by RTE in a shocking piece of investigative journalism by its reporters. I do not use those words lightly. Many of us who watched the programme and are involved in this committee were disturbed not only by what was revealed but by certain attitudes and the mistreatment of children. I thank the committee members who were unanimous on the need to convene an early meeting.

Parents and guardians expect their children to be treated properly and with dignity at all times. I hope our meeting with the Minister and the officials will provide an opportunity to discuss not only our concerns but a pathway whereby we can ensure that child care facilities which, in the main, have excellent staff and are run superbly will continue to be provided, that the bad practices and the unease experienced by some parents after the programme will be brought to an end and that there will be a focus on the issues of vetting, inspection, enforcement sanctions and regulations.

I welcome the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, and her officials Mr. Jim Breslin, Secretary General, Ms Moira O'Mara and Ms Mary McLoughlin; from the Health Service Executive, Mr. Gordon Jeyes, Ms Annie Callanan and Ms Fiona McDonnell; from Early Childhood Ireland, Ms Irene Gunning and Ms Teresa Heeney, and from Startstrong, Mr. Toby Wolfe. I thank them for appearing before the committee at short notice.

Witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they are to give the committee. However, if witnesses are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to do so they are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. Witnesses 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 or make charges against any person or persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I remind members of the longstanding parliamentary practice and ruling of the Chair to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I invite the Minister to make her opening remarks.