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

We are now in public session. On behalf of the joint committee, I welcome the Ombudsman for Children, Dr. Niall Muldoon, and Ms Naomi Kennan, policy officer at the Office of the Ombudsman for Children; Mr. Terry Dignan, CEO and Ms Karla Charles, policy officer at Empowering People in Care, EPIC; and Ms Cliodhna O'Neill, director of policy and Ms Catherine Ghent, solicitor, from the ISPCC. Ms Carol Anne Coolican and Mr. Keith Walsh from the family and child law committee of the Law Society of Ireland will be joining us. I thank all the witnesses for attending today and extend a welcome to their colleagues in the Visitors Gallery.

I draw the attention of witnesses to the fact that 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 ask all members and witnesses to turn off their mobile phones or switch them to flight mode, as they interfere with the sound system and make it difficult for the parliamentary reporters to report the meeting, as well as adversely affecting television and web streaming. Any submissions or opening statements made to the committee will be published on the committee website after this meeting. I understand the witnesses will make a short presentation, which will be followed by questions from members of the committee on the heads of the Bill.

I invite Dr. Muldoon to make his opening statement. We will then take opening statements from EPIC, the ISPCC and the Law Society of Ireland in that order.