Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Thursday, 8 July 2021

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters

Resourcing of Personal Assistance Services: Discussion

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

Apologies have been received from Deputies Phelan and Hourigan and Senator Bacik.

The purpose of today's meeting is to discuss the resourcing of personal assistance services. On behalf of the committee, I would like to welcome Mr. Fionn Crombie Angus and his father, Mr. Jonathan Angus; Mr. James Cawley, policy officer, Independent Living Movement Ireland; and Mr. Paul McBride, chief executive officer, Mr. Owen Collumb, Mr. Gordon Ryan and Ms Fiona Weldon, Áiseanna Tacaíochta. I would also like to thank our witnesses for facilitating the change in the meeting time from 12.30 p.m. to 9.30 a.m. this morning. We are very appreciative of that. It is important that we acknowledge that the witnesses had committed to attending and changed their schedules to suit us.

I remind members that they are only allowed to participate in this meeting if they are physically located on the Leinster House complex or in the convention centre when the Dáil or Seanad is sitting there. In this regard, if members are joining the meeting remotely, I ask them to confirm that they are on the grounds of the Leinster House complex or the convention centre prior to making a contribution. For anyone watching the meeting online, witnesses are accessing the meeting remotely. Due to these unprecedented circumstances, I ask everyone to bear with us should technical issues arise.

Before we commence the formal proceedings, I must begin with some formalities regarding matters of privilege. I advise witnesses that they are directed to give only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings. Witnesses 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, her or it identifiable. I advise the witnesses giving evidence from a location outside the parliamentary precincts to note the constitutional protections afforded to witnesses attending to give evidence before the committee may not extend to them. No clear guidance can be given on whether or the extent to which the evidence given is covered by absolute privilege of a statutory nature. Persons giving evidence from other jurisdictions should also be mindful of the domestic statutory regime. If witnesses are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence regarding a particular matter, they must do so, and respect that direction.

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

I now invite Mr. Fionn Crombie Angus to make his opening remarks.

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