Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As we have a quorum we will commence the meeting in public session. Are the minutes of the meeting of 17 June, which have been circulated, agreed? Agreed.

I welcome our witnesses to the meeting this morning. They will be presenting virtually. This meeting has two elements. We will hear about the impact of Covid-19 on youth mental health. We will also hear about the difficulties facing psychological services. I welcome Ms Gabrielle Cummins and Ms Megan Reynolds from Beat 102-103 who will speak on the impact of Covid-19 on youth mental health. To speak about the difficulties faced by psychologists I welcome CARE. Representing CARE are Ms Marina Dillon, Mr. Adam Chambers, Mr. Mark O'Flaherty and Ms Siobhan Thomas. They are all very welcome to the meeting. We thank them for their time and the opening statements they have circulated. We very much appreciate them.

Before we kick off I want to draw the attention of the witnesses to privilege. There is uncertainty as to whether parliamentary privilege will apply to evidence from a location outside the parliamentary precincts of Leinster House. Therefore if they are directed by me to cease giving evidence in relation to a particular matter they must respect that directive. I call on Ms Gabrielle Cummins to address the meeting. She is very welcome.