Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome: Ms Meg Ryan, migrant services lead caseworker with the Irish Red Cross; Ms Nuala Ward, director of investigations with the Office of the Ombudsman for Children; Ms Clodagh Carroll, Barnardo's assistant director of children's services; Mr. Nick Henderson, CEO of the Irish Refugee Council; and Ms Kathleen Moran, chairperson of the Library Association of Ireland School Libraries Group. Dr. Caroline Heary, researcher at the National University of Ireland Galway, NUIG, declined the invitation to attend as the subject matter of the meeting is outside her area of expertise.

The witnesses are here to discuss the educational supports provision for displaced Ukrainian students. The format of the meeting is that I will invite each of the witnesses to make a brief five-minute opening statement. Members will then each have an eight-minute slot to ask questions and receive responses from the witnesses. I ask the witnesses to keep an eye on the time during their five-minute opening statements. This is because there are several of them present and we wish to give the members an opportunity to come in. I also ask the members to keep an eye on the time during their slots.

As the witnesses are probably aware, the committee will publish opening statements on its website following the meeting. Before we begin, 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. Witnesses are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that one should not criticise or make charges against a person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable, or otherwise engage in a speech that may be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. Therefore, if a witness's statement is potentially defamatory with regard to an identified person or entity, he or she will be directed to discontinue his or her remarks. It is imperative that witnesses comply with any such direction.

I invite Ms Ryan to make her opening statement.