Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Apologies have been received from Deputies Moynihan and Phelan, and Senator O'Loughlin. The purpose of today's meeting is to discuss aligning disability services with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, UNCRPD, in particular an update on progressing disability services. On behalf of the committee, I extend a warm welcome to the Minister of State at the Department of Health with responsibility for disabilities, Deputy Anne Rabbitte; Ms Patsy Carr, principal officer, and Ms Audrey Hagerty, principal officer, Department of Health; Mr. Bernard O'Regan, head of operations, disability services, Ms Breda Crehan Roche, chief officer of community health organisation, CHO, west, and Professor Malcolm MacLachlan, clinical lead for people with disabilities, HSE; and Mr. Niall Brunell, principal officer, Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.

I remind members that they are only allowed to participate in the meeting if they are physically located on the Leinster House complex. If members are joining the meeting remotely, I ask them to confirm they are on the grounds of the Leinster House campus prior to contributing to the meeting. For anyone watching this meeting online, witnesses are accessing this meeting primarily from this committee room. Due to these unprecedented circumstances, I ask that everyone bear with us should any technical issues arise.

Before we commence formal proceedings, I must begin with some formalities and advise our witnesses on the matter of privilege. Witnesses are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given. They are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. I wish to advise witnesses giving evidence from a location outside of the parliamentary precincts to note that the constitutional protections afforded to witnesses attending to give evidence before the committee may not extend to them. No clear guidance can be given on whether, or the extent to which, the evidence given is covered by absolute privilege of a statutory nature. Persons giving evidence from another jurisdiction should also be mindful of their domestic statutory regime. If they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in relation to a particular matter, they must respect that direction.

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 or persons outside the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I call on the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, to make her opening remarks.