Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Dr. Niall Muldoon, Ombudsman for Children, and his colleagues, Ms Nuala Ward, director of investigations, Dr. Karen McAuley, head of education and participation.

I remind members to ensure their mobile telephones are switched off as interference from them affects sound quality and transmission of the meeting’s proceedings.

I advise witnesses that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to this committee. 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 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. 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 entity by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. Members are reminded of the long-standing ruling of the Chair to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I ask Dr. Muldoon to make his opening statement.