Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Apologies have been received from Deputies Phelan, Wynne and Murnane O'Connor and Senator Clonan. Senator Conway is substituting for Senator Seery Kearney.

The purpose of today's meeting is to resume our discussions on employment and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, UNCRPD. On behalf of the committee, I extend a warm welcome to: Mr. Patrick Flanagan, create employment co-ordinator, from Independent Living Movement Ireland; Mr. Patrick Murphy and Mr. Alan Porter from the National Learning Network, NLN, Bantry; Dr. Aideen Hartney, director, and Ms Marion Wilkinson, senior policy adviser, from the National Disability Authority, NDA; and Mr. Alan McGrath, executive director, and Ms Roisin Doherty, director of learner support, from SOLAS. We look forward to our engagement with the witnesses.

I remind members that they are only allowed to participate if they are physically located on the campus of Leinster House. I ask members who are joining us remotely to confirm that they are within the grounds of Leinster House prior to contributing to the meeting. For anyone watching online, some witnesses are accessing the meeting remotely. Due to the unprecedented nature of these circumstances, I ask everyone to bear with us should any technical difficulties arise.

Witnesses are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. I advise witnesses giving evidence from locations outside the parliamentary precincts that the constitutional protection afforded to witnesses attending and giving evidence before the committee may not extend to them. No clear guidance can be provided on the extent to which such evidence is covered by absolute privilege of a statutory nature. If witnesses are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter, they must respect the decision of the Chair. Members are reminded of long-standing parliamentary practice.

I call on Mr. Patrick Flanagan to make his opening remarks.