John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome from the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, SVP, Dr. Tricia Keilthy, head of social justice and policy, and from the National Council for the Blind Ireland, NCBI, Mr. Chris White, chief executive officer, and Mr. Darren Reid, who is a service user. I will ask Dr. Keilthy to make her presentation in a moment. She will be followed by Mr. White and then members will be able to ask questions. I understand that Deputy O'Dea is at another meeting. He was here earlier and hopes to be back. One or two other members of the committee are in the Dáil and Seanad.

I draw the attention of our guests 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 the joint committee. However, if they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to do so, 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 are 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 ask everyone again to ensure that they have turned their mobile phones off or onto flight mode. They interfere with the meeting as well as its transmission and recording. We have received our guests' written submissions and I now ask Dr. Keilthy to make her presentation.