Colette Kelleher (Independent) | Oireachtas source

We are resuming in public session. We will now deal with the issue of promoting awareness of the public petitions process. I thank the witnesses for attending. Before we commence the discussion, I remind members, witnesses and those in the Public Gallery to turn off their mobile phones.

I formally welcome Ms Angela Black, chief executive of the Citizens Information Board, Mr. Graham Long, senior manager of the Citizens Information Board, and Ms Louise Loughlin, national manager, National Advocacy Service for People with Disabilities.

I thank our guests for attending the committee. They have been invited here to discuss with the committee how the Citizens Information Board interacts with individuals with intellectual disabilities and special needs, how it manages to promote the services provided by its organisation through communications, media and outreach programmes, how or whether the Citizens Information Board can promote awareness of the Committee on Public Petitions and its processes, especially among citizens who are hard to reach, who experience exclusion or who have challenges with formal processes because of communication, literacy, language, health or other challenges, and if there is any advice the witnesses could offer which could assist the joint committee.

Before we commence, in accordance with procedures, I am required to read the following notice on privilege. 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.

I remind our guests that the presentations should be of no more than ten minutes duration and members have been circulated with the presentations submitted. I invite Ms Black to make her opening statement and following it I will call members to put their questions in the order in which they indicated.