Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Apologies have been received from Senators O'Sullivan, Seery Kearney and Clonan. We will have two sessions today. The item on the agenda for consideration at this first session is alternative aftercare services for young adults. We are joined representatives of the Simon Community. I welcome in the committee room Mr. Wayne Stanley, head of policy and communications, and Ms Karen Feeney, who is head of services of Galway Simon Community. I also welcome Ms Aisling O'Hara, service manager for the youth service and community-based housing in Galway Simon Community, who is joining us on Microsoft Teams. I thank them for being with us at this meeting.

The Teams chat function should be used only to let us know if there are any difficulties or urgent matters. It is not to be used to make general comments or statements during the meetings.

I remind members of the constitutional requirement that they must be physically present within the confines of the Leinster House complex to contribute in public meetings. I cannot permit a member to participate where he or she is not adhering to that constitutional requirement, so anybody who does participate through Teams from outside the precincts will be asked to leave the meeting. I ask any committee members who are partaking via Teams confirm, prior to making their contribution, that they are on the grounds of the Leinster House campus.

In advance of inviting our guests to deliver their opening statement, I advise them of the following in respect of parliamentary privilege. Witnesses who are participating from within the committee room are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that 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 or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. If, therefore, their statements are potentially defamatory in respect of an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks and it is imperative they comply with any such direction. In the case of witnesses appearing virtually before the committee, there is uncertainty as to whether parliamentary privilege would apply to their evidence from a location outside of the parliamentary precincts of Leinster House. If, therefore, they are directed by me to cease giving evidence on a matter, it is imperative they comply with any such direction.

We are delighted to be able to hold this session, which has been a long time coming. I invite Mr. Stanley to make his opening statement.