Catherine Noone (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome committee members and viewers who may be watching our proceedings on Oireachtas TV. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss with officials of the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, the impact of homelessness on children. On behalf of the joint committee, I welcome from the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government Ms Mary Hurley, assistant secretary and Mr. David Kelly, principal officer, housing delivery division; from the Department of Children and Youth Affairs Mr. Albert O'Donoghue, principal officer, alternative care policy; and from Tusla Mr. Jim Gibson, chief operations officer, and Mr. Cormac Quinlan, director of transformation and policy.

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, her or it identifiable.

I remind members, delegates and those in the Visitors Gallery to turn off their mobile phones or switch them to flight mode as they may interfere with the sound system, even when left in silent mode.

I advise delegates that any submission or opening statement made to the committee will be published on its website after the meeting. After their presentations, there will be questions from members of the committee. I call on Ms Hurley to make her opening statement.