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

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

I welcome from Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, Mr. Gordon Jeyes, chief executive; Ms Colette Walsh, director of human resources; Ms Eibhlin Byrne, director of educational welfare services; Mr. Pat Smyth, director of finance; Mr. Cormac Quinlan, director of policy and strategy, and Mr. Brian Lee, director of quality assurance. It is the joint committee’s intention to have quarterly meetings with the agency. I thank the agency for the work it is doing which can be difficult and time-consuming.

By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they give to the committee. If, however, they are directed by it 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 asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person or an 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 and ruling of the Chair to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I invite Mr. Jeyes to make his opening statement.