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

The purpose of this morning's meeting is to conclude our series of engagements on reform of the family law system. I welcome all of our guests. With us are: Mr. David Walsh, chairman, and Mr. Frank McGlynn of Men's Voices Ireland; Mr. David Drakeford, spokesperson with the Nemo Forum; Dr. Geoffrey Shannon, special rapporteur on child protection; Ms Eilis Barry, chief executive officer, CEO, and Ms Stephanie Lord, legal and policy officer, with Free Legal Advice Centres, FLAC; and finally - for no other reason than logistics of accommodation in the committee room - Dr. Kenneth Burns, senior lecturer in social work from University College Cork. I shall invite each of our guests to make opening statements and we shall proceed in the order of the introductions.

I draw our guests' attention 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 the evidence they give to the joint committee. If, however, they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to do so, 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 person or an 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 members 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 all of our guests to ensure that their mobile phones have been placed in silent mode. Mobile phones can interfere with the recording of proceedings. I ask that those in the Gallery please accede to the same request.

I now invite Mr. McGlynn to make his opening statement on behalf of Men's Voices Ireland.