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

I welcome Dr. Tricia Keilthy, acting head of social justice and policy, Society of St. Vincent de Paul, SVP, and Ms Suzanne Connolly, director of children's services and chief executive officer designate, and Ms Niamh Kelly, policy officer, Barnardos. I will invite the witnesses to make opening statements in a moment, following which I will afford colleagues an opportunity to ask questions.

I draw the attention of witnesses to the fact that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the committee. However, if they are directed by the Chairman to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to a 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 they are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

I also advise them that any submission or opening statement they have made to the committee will be published on the committee web page after this meeting.

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 Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I ask everyone to turn off their mobile phones. Apart from interfering with the meeting, they interfere with its recording. In invite Dr. Keilthy to make her opening statement.