Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The purpose of today's meeting is to discuss the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 and the establishment of the Decision Support Service, DSS. On behalf of the committee, I extend a warm welcome to representatives of Decision Support Service: Áine Flynn, director; Joanna Macklin, head of the panel of management; Kate Frowein, head of registration and supervision; Patsy Fitzsimons, head of complaints and investigation; and to Mr. Ian Grehan.

I remind members that they are only allowed to participate in this meeting if they are physically located in the Leinster House complex or the complex in the convention centre. If members are joining the meeting remotely, I ask them to confirm whether they are on the grounds of the Leinster House campus or the convention centre prior to making a contribution. For anyone watching the meeting online, witnesses are accessing the meeting remotely due to unprecedented circumstances. I ask everyone to bear with us should any technical issues arise.

Witnesses are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of the proceedings should be given and are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not criticise or make charges against a person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. I advise witnesses giving evidence from a location outside of the parliamentary precincts that the constitutional protection afforded to witnesses attending to give evidence before committees may not extend to them. No clear guidance can be given as to whether or to what extent the evidence given is covered by absolute privilege of a statutory nature. Persons giving evidence from other jurisdictions should be mindful of their domestic statutory regimes. If witnesses are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in relation to a particular matter, they should respect that direction.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice not to comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or an official in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I call Ms Flynn, director of the Decision Support Service, to make her opening remarks.