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

The purpose of today's meeting is to discuss the implementation and ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, UNCRPD, optional protocol. On behalf of the committee, I welcome Fergal Lynch, Secretary General of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, and departmental representatives Carol Baxter, Úna Ní Dhubhghaill and Richard Quilliam. I am delighted to welcome from the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, Sinéad Gibney, chief commissioner, and commission member Adam Harris.

I remind members they are allowed to participate in this meeting if they are physically located in the precincts of Leinster House or when the Dáil meets in the convention centre. In this regard, if members are joining remotely, I will ask them to confirm they are in the grounds of Leinster House or in the convention centre. For anyone watching this meeting, witnesses are accessing this meeting remotely. Due to unprecedented circumstances, I ask that everyone bear with us should any technical issues arise.

Before we commence our proceedings, I bring your attention to the formalities and advise our witnesses on that matter. You are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given. Members are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise nor make charges against any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I wish to advise witnesses giving evidence from a location outside the parliamentary precincts to note that the constitutional protection afforded to witnesses attending to give evidence before the committees may not extend to them. No clear guidance can be given on whether or not the extent to which the evidence is covered by absolute privilege of a statutory nature. Persons giving evidence from other jurisdictions should be mindful of the domestic statutory regime. If they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in relation to a particular matter they must respect that direction. Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not 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 Mr. Lynch to make his opening remarks.