Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Today, the committee will meet with representatives of the National Women's Council, NWC, and the Irish Family Planning Association, IFPA, to discuss issues that may be relevant to the review of the operation of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018. From the National Women's Council, I welcome Ms Orla O'Connor, director, and Ms Alana Ryan, women's health co-ordinator; and from the Irish Family Planning Association, Ms Maeve Taylor, director of advocacy and communications, Ms Alison Spillane, senior policy and research officer, and Dr. Caitriona Henchion, medical director. They are all very welcome to our meeting this morning.

All witnesses 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 their statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction. I call on Ms O'Connor to make her opening remarks.