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

We are resuming pre-legislative scrutiny of the general scheme of the Certain Institutional Burials (Authorised Interventions) Bill with the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Deputy O'Gorman. The Minister is welcome. He is addressing the committee from a meeting room in Kildare House. I also welcome the official accompanying him today, Ms Dara Breathnach, who is a principal officer in the Department. The purpose of our meeting is to engage with the Department on the pre-legislative scrutiny process on the proposed legislation. I remind members that when putting their questions to the Minister they should adhere to the agenda item scheduled for this meeting.

Before I invite the Minister to deliver his opening statement, I will advise him of the parliamentary privilege situation. He is protected by absolute privilege in respect of the presentation he makes to the committee. This means that he has an absolute defence against any defamation action for anything he says at the meeting. However, he is expected not to abuse this privilege and it is my duty as Chair to ensure it is not abused. Therefore, if his statements are potentially defamatory to an identifiable person or entity, he will be directed to discontinue his remarks. It is imperative that he comply with any such direction.

I invite the Minister to deliver his opening statement, which will be followed by a question and answer session with members. Members will be asked to speak in the order they indicate. They might start indicating now.