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

We have a quorum. I remind members who are participating remotely to keep their devices on mute until they are invited to speak and also, where possible, to have their cameras switched on. Please be mindful that we are in public session. I remind members of the constitutional requirement that they must be physically present within the confines of the place in which the Parliament is choosing to sit, namely Leinster House, in order to participate in public meetings. I cannot permit a member to participate where they are not adhering to this constitutional requirement. For members who are present in the meeting room, we ask them to keep their masks on until they are speaking themselves.

The Dáil on 15 December 2021 ordered that the Revised Estimates for public services in respect of the following Votes be referred to this committee for consideration: Vote 40 - Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth; and Vote 25 - Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission. In today's meeting the select committee will consider these Estimates and report back to the Dáil. I remind members that only matters relevant to the Revised Estimates can be discussed at this meeting.

I welcome the Minister. We thank him and his officials for being here with us today and for all the briefing material that was provided in advance, which has been circulated to members. Accompanying the Minister are Ms Carol Baxter, assistant secretary, Ms Laura McGarrigle, assistant secretary, Ms Anne Marie Brooks, assistant secretary, Mr. Dermot Ryan, assistant secretary, and Mr. Gordon Gaffney, principal officer. I will invite the Minister to make an opening statement and will then open it up to questions from the members. Each member has ten minutes for questions and answers.

Witness are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the presentation they make to the committee. This means 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. It is my duty as Chair to ensure privilege is not abused. Therefore if witnesses' 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.

I will hand over to the Minister for his opening statement.