Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Professor Angela O'Hagan, reader in equalities and public policy at Glasgow Caledonian University and independent chair of the Scottish Government equality budgets advisory group. She is joining us via Microsoft Teams. I apologise for the delay in commencing our session with her. She is very welcome, and we really appreciate her joining the meeting.

Before we begin, I will read an important notice on parliamentary privilege. Witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they are to give to the committee. If, however, they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to do so, they will be entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. They 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 criticise nor make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. Participants who are to give evidence from locations outside the parliamentary precincts are asked to note that the constitutional protections afforded to those who are participating from within the parliamentary precincts do not extend to them. No clear guidance can be given on whether, or the extent to which, the participation is covered by absolute privilege of a statutory nature.

We will now look at recommendations Nos. 42 to 45, inclusive, on the gender equality principles in law and policy, and in particular to consider recommendation No. 44, on equality budgeting. We are grateful to Professor O'Hagan for joining us to share her expertise and experience in this area. I call on her to make her opening statement before I open the floor to members.