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

I thank Mr. O'Connor, Ms Reynolds and members for their contributions. I welcome Mr. Michael Kenny of Urlingford community childcare who is accompanied by Ms Marian Quinn, who is the chairperson of the Association of Childhood Professionals. I also welcome Ms Gillian O'Connor of Dolphin House Homework Club and Ms Amy Carey, who is the CEO of the Solas Project. They are here to represent the Dublin 8 After School Alliance. The purpose of this meeting is to engage with witnesses on changes in the funding structure in the form of the national childcare scheme and its impact on after-school services around the country.

Before I invite witnesses to deliver their opening statements, I wish to advise them in respect of parliamentary privilege. They are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the presentations they make to the committee. This means that they have an absolute defence against any defamation action for anything they say at the meeting. However, they are expected not to abuse this privilege and it is my duty, as Chair, to ensure that this privilege is not abused. Therefore, if the statements are potentially defamatory in respect of an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks and it is imperative that they comply with any such direction. Witnesses are allocated three minutes in which to speak and the same amount of time is allocated for questions and answers with members of the committee. I ask everyone to please, as much as possible, stick to the time limit. I propose we start with Mr. Kenny and invite him to make his opening statement.