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

I welcome to the committee the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, Mr. Jim Breslin, Secretary General, and Mr. John Lohan and Mr. Alan Savage from the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. This is our quarterly meeting with the Minister. The questions have already been sent to the Department and I thank the officials and the Minister for answering them in a timely fashion. It makes life easier for everybody.

By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence you are to give this committee. If you are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and you continue to so do, you are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of your evidence. You are directed that only evidence connected with today's proceedings is to be given and you are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, you should not criticise nor make charges against any person 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 to the effect that members should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I call on the Minister to make her opening remarks.