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

I welcome members, and also viewers who may be watching proceedings on Oireachtas TV, to the public session of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Children and Youth Affairs. The purpose of the meeting is to meet, in session one, representatives of Women's Aid to discuss the organisation's Impact Report 2018, "Children let down by the system" and, in session two, representatives of the Children's Rights Alliance to discuss the organisation's Report Card 2019.

On behalf of the committee, I welcome Ms Margaret Martin, director of Women's Aid and Ms Ursula Regan, chair of the board of Women's Aid.

They are both very welcome.

Before we commence, in accordance with procedure I am required to draw the attention of the 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 this committee. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in relation to 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 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 or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I remind our guests and those in the Public Gallery to either switch off their mobile phones or place them in flight mode. This is because they interfere with our sound system. I advise our guests that any submissions they have made or opening statements they may make to the committee will be published on its website after this meeting. Following their presentations, there will be questions from the members.

I now call on Ms Martin and Ms Regan to make their opening statements.