Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

In our second session today, we will be considering the provision of citizenship rights and travel documents for children born through international surrogacy arrangements, ensuring that existing children born through such arrangements can exercise citizenship rights and have access to travel documents and arrangements for the verification of documents issued in other countries.

On behalf of the committee, I would like to welcome from the Department of Justice, Ms Tracy O’Keeffe and Mr. Andrew Munro; and from the Department of Foreign Affairs, Ms Siobhan Byrne, Mr. Trevor Redmond and Mrs. Úna Fannon, to our meeting.

Before we begin, I am required to repeat the note on privilege and housekeeping matters. 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. 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.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I remind members of the constitutional requirement that they must be physically present within the confines of the Leinster House complex in order 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 of Leinster House will be asked to leave the meeting. In this regard, I ask any member partaking via Microsoft Teams to confirm prior to making his or her contribution to the meeting that he or she is on the grounds of the Leinster House campus. I remind everyone that masks should continue to be worn throughout the meeting by all present and should only be removed when speaking.

I call on Ms O'Keeffe to make her opening statement.