Ciara Conway (Waterford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I remind members to make sure their mobile phones are switched off. This is important as they cause serious problems for the broadcasting, editorial and sound recording staff. Today, the Joint Committee on Health and Children is holding its third hearing on affordable and quality child care. The child care sector faces a range of challenges, including the significant cost of child care faced by families, conditions, training for child care workers, increased regulation, the lack of regulation of childminders and funding issues for the sector.

I welcome our witnesses: Ms Rose Bradley, social worker, Central Remedial Clinic, Waterford; Ms Mary Lacey-Crowe, clinical nurse manager, Sacred Heart Centre, Lady Lane, Waterford; Ms Denise McCormilla, chief executive officer, CEO, and Ms Michelle Hart, development officer, National Childhood Network; and Ms Marian Quinn, chairperson, Association of Childhood Professionals.

I draw the attention of witnesses to the fact that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the committee. However, 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 the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and they are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

Members are reminded of the long-standing ruling of the Chair 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 ask each contributor to limit her time to five minutes. I will then call members and take the questions in groups of three.