Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 3 November 2020

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs

Sustainable Development Goals and Departmental Priorities: Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Photo of Kathleen FunchionKathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Yes. I wish to introduce the officials accompanying the Minister. They are Mr. Conor Rowley, assistant secretary; Ms Laura McGarrigle, assistant secretary; and Ms Carol Baxter, assistant secretary.

I wish to advise the witnesses on parliamentary privilege. They are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the presentation they make to the committee. This means that they have an absolute defence against any defamation for anything they say at the meeting. However, they are expected not to abuse this privilege and it is my duty as Chairman to ensure that this privilege is not abused. If their statements, therefore, are potentially defamatory in regard to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction.

The purpose of today's meeting is to engage with the Minister on key policy and governance matters and progress on the implementation of the sustainable development goals set out in the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. I invite him to deliver his opening statement, which will be followed by questions and answers with members. I will call members in the order that they indicate. I ask members to make their indications. The Minister has 15 minutes in which to deliver his statement, as we are subject to Covid-19 restrictions.

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