Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 9 May 2018

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality

Access to the Labour Market for International Protection Applicants: Discussion

9:00 am

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

At the outset I ask members, visitors et al.to please switch off mobile phones as they interfere with the recording equipment in the committee rooms. The purpose of today's session is to discuss access to the labour market for international protection applicants and the transposition of the recast reception conditions directive. We will be joined first by representatives of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission and then by representatives of the Irish Refugee Council. I welcome the chief commissioner, Ms Emily Logan, who is joined by Professor Siobhán Mullally, commission member. Attending in the Gallery is Ms Jean O'Mahony, head of strategic engagement; and Mr. Walter Jayawardene, senior human rights and equality officer.

Before beginning, members should be aware 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. Witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they are to give to the committee. However, if they are directed by the committee 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 nor make charges against any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. I invite Ms Logan to make her opening statement.

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