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

We now have a quorum so I propose to start the meeting. We are now in public session. Welcome to the meeting of the Joint Committee on Children and Youth Affairs.

We will resume pre-legislative scrutiny of the Childcare (Amendment) Bill 2017 regarding guardian ad litem services. We will consider this very important piece of legislation over two sessions. In session A, we will hear from the Ombudsman for Children's Office; Empowering People In Care, EPIC; the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, ISPCC; and the Law Society of Ireland. In session B, the joint committee will hear from the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Katherine Zappone and officials from her Department.

I now propose that we move into private session to deal with some housekeeping matters. Is that agreed? Agreed.