Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputies and Senators for their attendance. I am sure others will join us. I ask everyone present to switch off all mobile phones, please, as they interfere with the sound recording system in the committee rooms.

The purpose of today's meeting is to discuss the wards of court system in Ireland. I welcome Ms Mary Farrell, the representative of the Justice for Wards Group.

Ms Farrell is joined in the Visitors Gallery by Ms Sarah Lennon, Ms Yvonne O'Sullivan, Mr. Niall Lennon, Ms Noelle Curtis, Mr. Jim Curtis, Mr. Terence O'Grady, Ms Eilis Laughton, Ms Stella Meaney, Mr. Jim Meaney, Ms Anne O'Sullivan, Mr. Chris O'Sullivan, Mr. Stephen Kirwan and Mr. Patrick Farrell. I hope I have mentioned all of the names. I apologise if I have left anybody out. We also have the representatives of the Court Service with us in the Visitors Gallery and I will acknowledge each of them in the second session.

The format of the meeting is Ms Farrell will be invited to make an opening statement which will be followed by a question and answer session with committee members. Witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the committee. However, if they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and 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 and asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person or an entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

Members are reminded that under the salient rulings of the Chair they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or an official, either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I invite Ms Farrell to make her opening statement.