Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Members and all those 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. Every second seat has been removed in order to facilitate social distancing. We ask people not to move chairs from their current positions. They should always maintain an appropriate level of social distancing during and after the meeting. Masks, preferably of medical grade, should be worn at all times during the meeting, except when speaking. I ask for members' co-operation in that regard. They might indicate if they wish to speak. Members' speaking arrangements have been agreed.

On behalf of the committee, I welcome, from the Community Foundation for Ireland, Ms Denise Charlton, chief executive, and Ms Frances Haworth, head of grants, donor care and impact, and, from the Children's Law Centre, Ms Paddy Kelly, who is participating via Microsoft Teams. I remind them to wear masks when they are not speaking.

The evidence of witnesses physically present or who give evidence from within the parliamentary precincts is protected, pursuant to both the Constitution and statute, by absolute privilege. However, witnesses and participants who are to give evidence from a location outside of the parliamentary precincts are asked to note they may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings that a witness giving evidence from within the parliamentary precincts does and they may consider it appropriate to take legal advice on this matter. Witnesses are also asked to note that only evidence connected with the subject matter of the proceedings should be given. They should respect directions given by the Chair on parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should neither 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, or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity.

I invite Ms Charlton to make her opening statement.