Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I remind members and witnesses to turn off their mobile telephones as they interfere with the technology.

We have received apologies from Deputy Catherine Murphy and Senator Fiach Mac Conghail. This meeting has been convened for the purpose of the consideration by the committee of matters pertaining to the consultation paper on the establishment of an electoral commission in Ireland. The committee will now discuss this matter. Is that agreed? Agreed.

It is proposed that this part of our meeting will conclude at 5.30 p.m. unless previously concluded. At the conclusion of public business, we will go into private session to discuss some EU matters. We will then go back into public session to formally decide the EU matters. We will then go back into private session for the remainder of private business. Is that agreed? Agreed.

I apologise to the witnesses for our late start. We had two votes which delayed us. I thank the witnesses for their patience and understanding. I welcome Ms Anne O'Donnell, head of citizen participation at the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, Mr. Ian Power, president of the National Youth Council of Ireland, Mr. James Doorley, deputy director of the National Youth Council of Ireland, Mr. Brian Killoran, chief executive officer of the Immigrant Council of Ireland, and Mr. Domhnall McGlacken-Byrne, president of Trinity College Dublin students union.

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.

It is proposed that all opening statements and any other documents the witnesses and others have submitted to the committee may be published on the committee website after the meeting. Is that agreed? Agreed.

This is the fifth of six planned meetings that the committee is holding on the question of an electoral commission for Ireland. We heard from the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Alan Kelly, followed by academics, officeholders, political scientists, local and national agencies and various experts. Today's meeting will deal specifically with the concerns of young people, immigrants and students as the joint committee continues its examination of the issues surrounding the establishment of an independent electoral commission. We look forward to engaging with the witnesses and assure them that their deliberations will assist us in producing a report which will go to the Department and to the Minister.

I suggest that witnesses limit their contributions to five or six minutes. If they wish to submit further materials to the committee they are welcome to do so and we can circulate them.

I call Ms O'Donnell to make her opening statement.