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

I welcome viewers who are watching us at home and on the Internet and I thank the members for being here this morning. I welcome to the meeting Mr. Gordon Jeyes, chief executive of Tusla, who is joined by Mr. Fred McBride, chief operations officer, Mr. Pat Smyth, director of finance, and Mr. Cormac Quinlan, interim director of policy and strategy. I also welcome Ms Sue Kane, the project manager of Tusla, who is in the Public Gallery. They all are welcome and I thank them for being here.

Apologies have been received from Senator Imelda Henry and Deputies Billy Kelleher and Sandra McLellan. I remind members, witnesses and those in the Public Gallery that mobile telephones should be turned off for the duration of the meeting as they interfere with the broadcasting equipment, which affects the recording of the meeting and the staff.

This is the first part of our meeting, the second part of which is the meeting with the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. I thank members for their agreement to switch the meeting around to accommodate the Minister. This meeting is one of the committee's regular meetings with Tusla to discuss the ongoing work commitment of the agency. On what probably could be his last occasion with us, I thank Mr. Jeyes in advance for his work, commitment and dedication since he took up the job. He has been a good friend to this committee. I note Mr. Jeyes has announced his intention to step down. On my behalf and on behalf of the committee, I thank him for his work. We will not wish him well yet in his retirement but we hope he will have a pleasant and active retirement.

Before we begin with Mr. Jeyes's opening statement, I will remind witnesses about privilege. 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 this committee. If they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in relation to 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 or 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 and rulings of the Chair to the effect that members should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person or persons outside the House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I invite Mr. Jeyes to make his opening remarks.