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

The purpose of the meeting is to conclude a series of engagements examining the direct provision and the international protection application process. I remind people to switch off their mobile phones as they interfere with the recording equipment.

We are joined by officials from the Department of Justice and Equality: Ms Oonagh Buckley, deputy secretary general, Ms Carol Baxter, assistant secretary, and Mr. Michael Kirrane, director general of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service, INIS. Mr. Paul Gunning, principal officer at the anti-human trafficking unit isen route. Seated behind them are Ms Louise Sandom, principal officer and Mr. George Sinclair, assistant principal officer, Reception and Integration Agency, RIA. They are all welcome to the meeting.

I first have to advise on privilege for witnesses who come before an Oireachtas committee. I draw the attention of our guests 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 their evidence 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.

By virtue of the salient rulings of the Chair, members 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 invite Ms Buckley to proceed to make her opening statement.