David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the joint committee, I thank all the witnesses for coming here today. The purpose of this meeting is to continue our work on, and have an engagement concerning, the impact and effects of gangland crime on communities, and possible solutions to it. Deputy Finian McGrath has agreed to act as rapporteur and to produce a report for the committee, which will be forwarded to the Minister when our work has been completed.

I welcome Ms Marie Metcalfe and thank her for being here. She is representing the community policing forum for the north east inner city. I also thank Dr. Johnny Connolly from the Health Research Board for attending the committee. Assistant Commissioner John Twomey is also welcome, as is Detective Chief Superintendent John O'Driscoll. Also attending the committee are Detective Chief Superintendent Pádraig Kennedy, Detective Superintendent Stephen Courage and Detective Inspector Maura Walsh. I thank the Garda Síochána representatives for giving their time and expertise to assist us with this matter.

The format we employ here is that we will invite witnesses to make opening statements of approximately five minutes each. We will then have a question-and-answer session with members. Members may come and go, depending on business in the Houses. I will start with Ms Metcalfe, if she does not mind. If she is ready, she can commence with her five-minute opening statement. If not, we can ask somebody else to start if she wants to wait. Which would she prefer?