John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The purpose of the meeting is to discuss disability funding and disability proofing budget 2019. I remind members and delegates to switch off their mobile phones as interference from them affects the sound quality of the transmission of the proceedings.

I welcome from the Disability Federation of Ireland Dr. Joanne McCarthy, senior executive officer, policy and research; from the Irish Wheelchair Association Ms Joan Carthy, national advocacy officer; and from Mental Health Reform Ms Kate Mitchell, senior policy officer. I thank them for making themselves available to meet the select committee and taking the time to prepare material for submission. I also welcome the other delegates in attendance, Ms Joan O'Connor, development manager, and Ms Fiona O'Donovan and Dr. Meredith Raley, policy and research assistants. Our colleague, Senator John Dolan, who is in the Visitors Gallery is also very welcome.

We have received apologies from the Neurological Alliance of Ireland. While representatives of Inclusion Ireland are not in a position to attend, they have provided the select committee with a helpful submission which raises a number of points. We will consider this evidence as part of our work.

Before I invite the delegates to make their opening statements, I draw their attention to the position on privilege which applies to officials who may contribute to the proceedings. Witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they are to give to the committee. If, however, they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to do so, 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 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. We will now move to opening statements. Who will lead us off?