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

I welcome Dr. Fergal Lynch, Secretary General, Ms Elizabeth Canavan, assistant secretary, and Dr. Anne-Marie Brooks, principal officer, all at the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. I thank the witnesses for being here this morning to discuss the interdepartmental review on child care. It is part of the work which the committee has been undertaking in recent weeks. I wish to acknowledge the work of Deputy Sandra McLellan, who is our committee rapporteur on this area. Although we have received apologies from a number of members, the people in the room are highly committed to and interested in this area.

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 parliamentary practice 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 Dr. Lynch to make his opening remarks.