Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Dr. Joanne McCarthy, senior executive officer, policy and research; Ms Joan O'Donnell, development manager; and Ms Fiona O'Donovan, policy and research assistant, Disability Federation of Ireland, DFI. I thank them for making themselves available to the committee. We are meeting them to discuss the approach to disability proofing in the budget. It is a useful opportunity at this stage in the work of the committee to consider the progress that has been made in introducing the equality budgeting pilot programme and to hear the views of the federation, as a national stakeholder.

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 it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to so do, 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 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.

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 refer everyone to the usual note about telephones and their impact on the recording of our work here. As everybody knows, nobody switches off their phones.

I invite Dr. McCarthy to make her opening statement.