Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I will run quickly through the public health arrangements. The proceedings of our Oireachtas committees will be conducted without the requirement for social distancing, with normal capacity in the committee rooms restored. However, committees are encouraged to take a gradual approach to this change. Members and witnesses have the option to attend meetings in the relevant committee room or online via Microsoft Teams. All those attending in the committee room and environs should continue to wear masks, preferably of medical grade, and warn properly covering the mouth, etc. They should continue to sanitise and wash hands and be respectful of other people's physical space and practise good respiratory etiquette. If they have any Covid symptoms, no matter how mild, they should not attend the meeting room. Members and all in attendance are asked to exercise personal responsibility in protecting themselves and others from the risk of contracting Covid-19. Members will be aware we are required to participate in the meeting remotely from within the Leinster House complex only. We have not received any apologies as yet.

The general scheme of the right to request remote work Bill 2022 was referred by the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Varadkar, for pre-legislative scrutiny, PLS, by the committee. The Bill aims to provide a legal framework around which requesting, approving or refusing a request for remote work can be based. It also aims to provide legal clarity and procedures to employers on their obligations for dealing with such requests. The committee has discussed the proposed legislation with officials from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, representatives from IBEC and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, ICTU. Today I am pleased that we have an opportunity to consider the matter further and that we will hear from Grow Remote, whose representative will join us in person, and Glofox, appropriately, will join us remotely. I welcome from Grow Remove Ms Joanne Mangan, the employers' lead, and from Glofox, Mr. Finn Hegarty, the chief product officer.

I will run through the parliamentary privilege and a brief note for the witnesses. Before we start I want to explain the limitations to parliamentary privilege and the practice of the Houses as regard reference witnesses may make to other persons in their evidence. The evidence of witnesses physically present or who give evidence from within the parliamentary precincts is protected, pursuant to both the Constitution and statute, by absolute privilege. Witnesses are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice 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. If the witnesses' statements are potentially defamatory in respect of an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative they comply with all such directions.

The opening statements have been circulated to all members. To begin our consideration of the matter, I invite Ms Mangan to make her opening remarks on behalf of Grow Remote. Mr. Hegarty will be available to answer questions and contribute to the committee debate following Ms Mangan's opening statement.