Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We have received apologies from Senators Ruane and Keogan.

Before we begin, I have a few housekeeping matters to go through. If any member or witness participating remotely experiences any sound or technical issues, will he or she let us know through the chat function? Otherwise, we will proceed.

I advise all present that, as this is a public meeting, the chat function on MS Teams should be used only to advise participants of any technical issues or urgent matters and should not be used to make general comments or statements. I remind members participating remotely to keep their devices on mute until they are invited to speak, and when they are speaking I ask that, where possible, they have their cameras switched on and be mindful that we are in public session.

In addition, I remind members of the constitutional requirement that they must be physically present within the confines of the place in which Parliament has chosen to sit, namely, Leinster House, in order to participate in public meetings. I cannot permit a member to participate where he or she is not adhering to this constitutional requirement. Therefore, any member who attempts to participate in the meeting from outside the precincts will be refused.

To members participating in the meeting from the committee room, the following will apply. Members and all others in attendance are asked to exercise personal responsibility in protecting themselves and others from the risk of contracting Covid-19. They are strongly advised to practise good hand hygiene and they will note that every second seat has been removed in order to facilitate social distancing. I urge them not to move any chair from its current position. They should also always maintain an appropriate level of social distance during and after the meeting. Masks, preferably of medical grade, should be worn at all times during the meeting except, obviously, when they are speaking. I ask for everyone's full co-operation in this regard, which, in fairness, to date, everybody has been very good about.

This meeting is scheduled with a time allocation of two hours so it is to finish at 5.30 p.m. Our agenda item is pre-legislative scrutiny of the birth information and tracing Bill 2021, resumed. I officially welcome the Minister and his officials. We are joined by Ms Laura McGarrigle, assistant secretary; Mr. Karl Duff, principal officer; and Ms Eimear Cowan, assistant principal officer. The purpose of our meeting is to engage with the Minister and his officials on pre-legislative scrutiny of the general scheme of the birth information and tracing Bill. I will take this opportunity to remind members that when putting their questions to the Minister, they should adhere to the agenda item scheduled for discussion.

Before I invite the Minister to deliver his opening statement, I wish to advise him of the following in respect of parliamentary privilege. He is protected by absolute privilege in respect of the presentation he is to make to the committee. This means he has an absolute defence against any defamation action for anything he says at the meeting. However, he is expected not to abuse this privilege, and it is my duty as Cathaoirleach to ensure that this privilege is not abused. Therefore, if his statements are potentially defamatory in respect of an identifiable person or entity, he will be directed to discontinue his remarks and it is imperative that he comply with any such direction.

I now invite the Minister to deliver his opening statement. Then we will have questions and answers with the members. A speaking rota was circulated to members in advance of the meeting. I hand over to the Minister and his officials. I thank them again for being with us.