Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Commission for Victims and Survivors and The Junction for sending their apologies for not attending the meeting. Unfortunately, the commission had a key event organised for today, while The Junction had other outstanding business to attend to that necessitated both to decline the invitation. However, they have both indicated that they would be very interested in coming before the joint committee and will submit a written brief on the subject of today's meeting to assist the committee in its deliberations. I thank them for such positive engagement.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice or 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 either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

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 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. Given the sensitivity of the issues to be discussed, I ask members and witnesses to take special note of what I have said.

On behalf of the committee, I am very pleased to welcome Ms Sandra Peake CEO, Wave Trauma Centre; Ms Maura Twohig, chairperson, Tara Centre; Ms Kate Turner, project director, Healing Through Remembering; and Mr. Ian Bothwell, director, Crossfire Trust. I understand Mr. Kenny Donaldson, spokesperson for Innocent Victims United, is running late and will be here in a few minutes. I welcome all of our guests to discuss the outstanding legacy issues affecting victims and relatives in Northern Ireland. I ask Ms Peake to make her opening statement. She will be followed by the other representatives in chronological order, as per the schedule circulated. Members can then ask questions.