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

I remind members, witnesses and those present in the Gallery to ensure their mobile telephones are switched off for the duration of the meeting as they interfere with the broadcasting of our proceedings.

Today's meeting is our first formal and official engagement with Mr. Gordon Jeyes in his capacity as chief executive of the Child and Family Agency. I thank Mr. Jeyes for his engagement with the joint committee on previous occasions. He has always made himself available to meet the committee for thorough engagements. We look forward to hearing his report on the work being undertaken by the Child and Family Agency since its establishment. I thank him and his staff for the work they are doing in this exciting and challenging period and ask him to convey to the staff of the agency the immense gratitude of members for the work they do on behalf of young people. I also welcome Mr. Jeyes's colleagues, Mr. Fred McBride, chief operating officer, Mr. Pat Smyth, director of finance, Ms Eibhlin Byrne, executive manager, and Mr. Stephen Eglington from the advisory group for aftercare leavers. I thank the witnesses for facilitating the change in time for the meeting.

Witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they give the committee. If, however, they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to 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 persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. Members are reminded of a 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 any official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I invite Mr. Jeyes to make his opening statement.