Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Item No. 7 is engagement on financial inclusion issues in the disabled drivers and disabled passengers scheme. I welcome members and viewers who may be watching the proceedings of the committee on Oireachtas TV. The purpose of today's meeting, in two separate sessions, is to discuss financial inclusion issues, including the disabled drivers and disabled passengers scheme. We are joined in the first session by the Ombudsman and Information Commissioner, Mr. Ger Deering, and Ms Sarah Cooney, Office of the Ombudsman, and in the second session we will be joined by representatives of the Money Advice & Budgeting Service. I welcome Mr. Deering and Ms Cooney. The format of the meeting is that Mr. Deering will make some brief opening remarks, which will be followed by a questions and answers session. If Ms Cooney wishes to make some opening remarks, she is more than welcome to do so.