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, Department of Children and Youth Affairs; Ms Liz Canavan, assistant secretary, Department of Children and Youth Affairs; Ms Mary McLoughlin, principal officer, Department of Children and Youth Affairs; and Mr. Alan Savage, assistant principal, communications and corporate governance unit, Department of Children and Youth Affairs.
I thank the Minister for accommodating the committee by bringing the meeting time forward. Our quarterly meeting was adjourned as a mark of respect for our late colleague, Deputy Nicky McFadden.
I remind members, witnesses and those in the public gallery to please ensure their mobile telephones are switched off so that the recordings of proceedings are not disrupted. Such phones can also interfere with the broadcasting of the meeting. It is also unfair to members of staff to have interference buzzing in their ears.
By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they are to give this committee. If they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. They are directed that only evidence connected with today's 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 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.
This update comes at the conclusion of an important week for children. I congratulate the Minister on yesterday’s announcement of the national framework for children and young people. I call on her to make her opening statement.