Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

This morning we are meeting representatives of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs to consider the 2017 appropriation account for Vote 40 - Children and Youth Affairs. We are joined by Dr. Fergal Lynch, Secretary General; Ms Bernie McNally; Ms Éimear Fisher; Mr. Gerard Hughes; and Ms Olive McGovern. We are also joined by Mr. Pat Smyth, interim chief executive of Tusla, and Ms Judith Brady, principal officer in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. I apologise for the late start; our meeting this morning went on for much longer that we would normally expect. As we had no meeting last week, we had double the amount of correspondence to deal with and some of the items merited urgent attention.

I remind members, witnesses and those in the Visitors Gallery that all mobile phones should be switched off completed or to airplane mode. If they are merely left in silent mode, they will still interfere with the recording and broadcasting systems.

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 of the committee are reminded of the provisions of Standing Order 186 to the effect that the committee shall refrain from inquiring into the merits of a policy or policies of the Government or a Minister or the merits of the objectives of such policy or policies.

While we expect witnesses to answer questions put by the committee clearly and with candour, they can and should expect to be treated fairly and with respect and consideration at all times in accordance with the witness protocol.