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

The purpose of this engagement is to conduct detailed scrutiny of the International Protection (Family Reunification)(Amendment) Bill 2017, which is a Seanad Bill. The Bill is sponsored by Independent Senators, comprising Colette Kelleher, our own Frances Black, Lynn Ruane, Alice-Mary Higgins and John Dolan, and Senator Grace O'Sullivan from the Green Party.

We are joined by Senator Kelleher who will present the Bill on behalf of the co-sponsors. We are also joined by Mr. Nick Henderson, chief executive officer, and Ms Rosemary Hennigan, policy officer, from the Irish Refugee Council, IRC. They are both very welcome. Representing Nasc Ireland and appearing before the committee again, I would like to extend a welcome to Ms Fiona Finn, chief executive officer of the Irish Immigrant Support Centre, and Ms Fiona Hurley, legal services manager.

I will shortly invite the witnesses to make their opening statements in the order in which they have been introduced but I first must draw their attention to the matter of privilege. They should note that they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they give 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.

Members are reminded that under the salient rulings of the Chair, they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or an official in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I invite Senator Colette Kelleher to deliver her opening statement.