Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Apologies have been received from Senator Paul Gavan. The purpose of our meeting is to engage with the chairperson designate of the Pensions Council, Ms Roma Burke, and the chairperson designate of the Citizens Information Board, Ms Catherine Heaney, in order to discuss their strategic priorities for their roles and their views on the challenges currently facing their organisations. The Pensions Council was set up to advise the Minister for Social Protection on matters relating to policy on pensions. It represents and protects the consumer interest and helps to ensure that the system has a far stronger consumer focus. Among the significant work it is undertaking at present, the council is currently considering the gender pension gap in supplementary pensions and is working to identify practical solutions to this challenge.

As part of the committee's work programme, we recently made a submission to the Pensions Commission in which we made 18 recommendations on pension reform. We look forward to meeting Ms Burke and the Minister, Deputy Heather Humphreys, to discuss the implementation status of those recommendations in the autumn session.

The Citizens Information Board is the national agency responsible for supporting the provision of information, advice and advocacy on social services and for the provision of the Money Advice and Budgeting Service, MABS. With the widespread issue of disinformation and misinformation and the ongoing pandemic, which has left many people in need of information from trusted sources, the role of the Citizens Information Board is crucial for citizens looking for a trusted and impartial source of information. On behalf of the committee, I welcome Ms Burke and Ms Heaney to the meeting.

With regard to privilege, all witnesses are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction. For witnesses attending remotely outside the precincts of Leinster House and its buildings, there are some limitations to parliamentary privilege and, as such, they may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as witnesses physically present do. Caution should be exercised accordingly.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I now call on Ms Burke to make her opening statement, followed by Ms Heaney.