John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Dolan and colleagues from all the committees. I thank them for their attendance this morning. I acknowledge that this meeting clashes with questions by Deputy Brady to be taken in the Dáil shortly.

I welcome from the Disability Federation of Ireland, Dr. Joanne McCarthy and Dr. Patricia McCarthy; and from Inclusion Ireland, Mr. Mark O'Connor. 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. If you are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in relation to a particular matter and you continue to so do, you are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of your evidence. You are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and you are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, you should not criticise or make charges against any persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. Members are reminded of a long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that Members should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House, or any official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I again remind people to turn off their mobile phones.

I call Dr. Joanne McCarthy, followed by Mr. O'Connor and Mr. Murtagh. As I said earlier, when we are having the debate all witnesses are more than welcome to contribute and not just those making the opening statements.