Mary Seery Kearney (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Apologies have been received from Deputies Funchion, Cathal Crowe and Costello and Senators Keogan, Ruane and O'Sullivan. Deputy Cullinane will substitute at the meeting this afternoon for Deputy Funchion.

Before we begin, I advise witnesses that, in the unavoidable absence of both the Cathaoirleach and Leas-Chathaoirleach, I have been nominated to act as temporary Cathaoirleach for the duration of this meeting. In carrying out this function, I wish to make the following declaration: I do solemnly declare that I will duly and faithfully, and to the best of knowledge and ability, execute the office of temporary Cathaoirleach of the Joint Committee on Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth without fear or favour, apply the rules as laid down by the Houses in an impartial and fair manner, maintain order and uphold the rights and privileges of members in accordance with the Constitution and Standing Orders.

We have two headings for today: the resumption of our consideration of the Ombudsman for Children report entitled Unmet Needs, and the waiting lists for children in accessing assessment of needs and related matters.

Since the publication of the report by the Ombudsman for Children, the committee has held five public hearings and engaged with a number of stakeholders. To discuss further the issues relating to access to appropriate assessments for children, I welcome representatives of the Office for the Ombudsman for Children, Dr. Niall Muldoon, ombudsman, Dr. Karen McAuley, head of policy, who is joining us from an office, and Ms Ciara McKenna-Keane, external investigator, who is present in the committee room. I also welcome representatives of the Health Service Executive, Mr. Paul Reid, chief executive, Ms Anne O'Connor, chief operations officer, Mr. Bernard O'Regan, head of operations, disability services, Professor Malcolm MacLachlan, clinical lead for people with disabilities, Ms Angela O'Neill, national disability specialist, community operations, and Mr. T.J. Dunford, head of primary care operations, who are joining us from another meeting room here within Leinster House.

Before we begin, I have a few housekeeping matters to go through. I ask witnesses to note that to limit the risk of spreading Covid-19, the service encourages all members, visitors and witnesses to continue to wear face masks when moving around the campus and when in close proximity to others. We ask witnesses to be respectful of others' physical space and they are asked to adhere to any other public health advice.

I also advise all witnesses that the chat function on MS Teams should only be used to make the team on site aware of any technical issues or urgent matters that may arise and should not be used to make general comments or statements during the meeting. For those witnesses who are participating in another room within the complex, they should keep their devices on mute until they are invited to speak. When witnesses are speaking, I would ask, where possible, that they have their camera switched on.

I now move to advice on parliamentary privilege. For witnesses who are participating from either the committee room or the Leinster House complex, they are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable, or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. Therefore, if a witness's statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, the witness will be directed to discontinue his or her remarks. It is imperative witnesses comply with any such direction.

For witnesses who are appearing remotely via MS Teams, they are reminded that there is uncertainty if parliamentary privilege will apply to their evidence from a location outside the parliamentary precincts of Leinster House. Therefore, if a witness is directed by me to cease giving evidence in relation to a particular matter, it is imperative he or she complies with any such direction.

I remind members of the constitutional requirements that members must be physically present within the confines of the Leinster House complex to participate in public meetings. I will not permit a member to participate where he or she is not adhering to this constitutional requirement. Therefore, any member who attempts to participate from outside the precincts will be asked to leave the meeting. In this regard, I would ask any member participating via MS Teams that, prior to making his or her contribution to the meeting, the member confirms he or she is on the grounds of the Leinster House campus. That completes our housekeeping matters.

I invite Dr. Muldoon to deliver his opening statement.