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

I remind members and people in the Visitors Gallery to switch off their mobile telephones as they interfere with the proceedings of the meeting. The subject of today's meeting is children and youth affairs and I welcome the new Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Reilly. He was before the committee only last week as Minister for Health, but his return is very welcome. I also welcome Mr. Jim Breslin, Secretary General of the Department, Ms Mary Hogan and Mr. Alan Savage.

Deputies Regina Doherty, Mitchell O'Connor and Fitzpatrick have sent their apologies for their absence. Niamh Harmon is leaving this committee to go to the committee on the banking inquiry. On behalf of the committee I thank her for her tremendous commitment, professionalism and dedication to this committee. She has been a great asset to the committee and I wish her well in her new position.

This meeting is our quarterly meeting with the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. Members have submitted questions in advance and the written replies have been returned to them. If members make a reference to the questions, they should also refer to the number of the question.

I remind those in attendance about privilege. Witnesses are protected by privilege in respect of the evidence they give to the committee. However, if they are directed by it 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 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 or 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 and ruling of the Chair to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I invite the Minister to make his opening remarks.