Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Good morning. I welcome everybody to this meeting of the Joint Committee on Children and Youth Affairs. We are continuing our hearings on tackling childhood obesity. We will now have presentations from Sport Ireland, safefood and the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection. I welcome Mr. John Treacy, chief executive, and Dr. Una May, director of participation and ethics, from Sport Ireland, Dr. Cliodhna Foley-Nolan, director of human health and nutrition, and Dr. Aileen McGloin, director of marketing and communications, from safefood, and Mr. John Conlon, assistant secretary, and Ms Jackie Harrington, principal officer, from the Department of Employment and Social Affairs. I thank them for joining us. We also have Mr. David Gash, communications manager with Sport Ireland, in the Public Gallery. I also welcome members and viewers who may be watching these proceedings on Oireachtas TV.

Before we commence, and in accordance with procedure, I am required to draw the attention of witnesses to the fact that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to this 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 are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they 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 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 in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

I also remind everybody present to turn off mobile phones or switch them to flight mode. Mobile phones interfere with our sound system and make it difficult for parliamentary reporters to report on the meeting. Television coverage and web-streaming may also be adversely affected. I advise witnesses also that any submissions or statements made to the committee will be published on the committee website after this meeting. After the presentations, there will be a question-and-answer session. I call Mr. Treacy to make his opening statement.