Joan Freeman (Independent) | Oireachtas source

As we have a quorum, I call the meeting to order. Apologies have been received from Deputy Lisa Chambers. I welcome all those present to this meeting of the Joint Committee on Children and Youth Affairs. During session A, members will hear from me. I ask them to go easy on me. We will also hear from Mr. Peter Hughes, general secretary of the Psychiatric Nurses Association, and Mr. Gareth Noble, children's law specialist, on the Seanad Public Consultation Committee's work on children's mental health services. During session B, the committee will hear from Dr. Geoffrey Shannon, special rapporteur on child protection, regarding issues arising from the audit of the exercise by An Garda Síochána of section 12 of the Child Care Act. My contribution will only serve to inform members because the work by the Seanad Public Consultation Committee will start tomorrow. Members can ask questions if they wish but I will only really be informing them about what will happen tomorrow. I propose that the committee goes into private session to deal with housekeeping matters. Is that agreed? Agreed.