Frances Black (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Apologies have been received from Senator Hoey.

We are meeting representatives from the Rutland Centre, Alcohol Forum Ireland and the Ballymun local drugs and alcohol task force to get an update on the challenges facing organisations working in the area of addiction, including the challenges resulting from Covid-19.

I must take care of some housekeeping before we begin. Are the draft minutes of the meetings on 13 and 20 July, 6 September and 5 October agreed? Agreed.

I welcome the witnesses, who will be providing us with an update on the challenges facing organisations like theirs. From Alcohol Forum Ireland, I welcome Ms Paula Leonard, national lead on community action on alcohol, and Dr. Helen McMonagle, alcohol-related brain injury rehabilitation co-ordinator. They are appearing via Microsoft Teams. From the Ballymun local drugs and alcohol task force, I welcome Mr. Hugh Greaves, co-ordinator, Ms Marie Lawless, policy and research officer, and Ms Katy MacAndrew, manager of the STAR project and a member of the Ballymun local drugs and alcohol task force and interim funded project. They are present in the committee room. From the Rutland Centre, I welcome Mr. Gerry Cooney, senior addiction counsellor, and Ms Serena Bryans, addiction counsellor.

Members and all 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 leave at least one vacant seat between themselves and others attending. They should also always maintain an appropriate level of social distancing during and after the meeting. Masks, preferably of a medical grade, should be worn at all times during the meeting except when speaking. I ask for everyone's full co-operation in this regard.

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 remind members that they are only allowed to participate in this meeting if they are physically located in the Leinster House complex. In this regard, I ask all members to confirm prior to contributing to the meeting that they are on the grounds of the Leinster House campus.

I call Ms Leonard to make her opening remarks.