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

The purpose of the second session of today's meeting is to resume our pre-legislative scrutiny of the general scheme of the Thirty-eighth Amendment of the Constitution (Role of Women) Bill. We are joined by Mrs. Justice Catherine McGuinness, who is most welcome; Dr. Helen Russell and Dr. Frances McGinnity of the Economic and Social Research Institute; Mr. John Dunne, chief executive of Family Carers Ireland and Ms Catherine Cox, head of communications; Ms Joan Canning and Ms Hilda Roche of the Irish Countrywomen's Association; and Ms Pauline of the Stay-at-Home Parents Association Ireland. They are all very welcome. I also welcome their colleagues in the Visitors Gallery.

I will invite witnesses to make opening statements in the order in which I introduced them. I 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 the committee. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to so do, 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, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

I invite Mrs. Justice Catherine McGuinness to make her opening statement.