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

Apologies have been received from Deputy Alan Dillon and Senator Erin McGreehan. If any member or witness participating remotely experiences any sound or technical issues, I ask them to let us know through the chat function. Otherwise, we will proceed. I advise everyone that as this is a public meeting, the chat function on Teams should only be used to advise participants of 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. When people are speaking I ask them to put on their cameras where possible and be mindful that we are in public session.

I remind members of the constitutional requirement that they must be physically present in the confines of the place where Parliament has chosen to sit, which is Leinster House, in order to participate in public meetings. I will not permit members to participate where they are not adhering to this constitutional requirement. If members attempt to participate in the meeting from outside the precincts, they will be refused. Those in the committee room should be mindful of their responsibility in relation to Covid-19. I urge people not to move chairs from their current positions and to always maintain an appropriate level of social distancing during and after the meeting. Masks should be used except when speaking.

We are meeting representatives from Safetynet Primary Care, the Amal Association and the Migrant Rights Centre of Ireland. From Safetynet Primary Care, I welcome Dr. Fiona O'Reilly, chief executive officer, and Dr. Angela Skuce, medical director. From the Amal Association, I welcome Ms Yara Alagha, board member and volunteer, and Ms Nor Nasib, treasurer and secretary. From the Migrant Rights Centre Ireland, I welcome Ms Edel McGinley, director, and Ms Sancha Magat, manager. The purpose of this meeting is to engage with the witnesses on their experience of migrant communities engaging with State bodies, the healthcare system and other social services. We are delighted to have the chance today to discuss these very important issues.

Before I go to the witnesses for their opening statements, I want to go through parliamentary privilege. As all witnesses are appearing before the committee virtually, I need to point out there is uncertainty as to whether parliamentary privilege will apply to their evidence from a location outside of the parliamentary precincts of Leinster House. Therefore, if they are directed by me to cease giving evidence on a particular matter it is imperative that they comply with any such direction.

Everyone has three minutes for their opening statements. There will also be questions and answers. Each member will have approximately five minutes to ask questions. Witnesses should be aware this also includes their answers.