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

I welcome the witnesses, both those physically present and online. Members have the option of being physically present in the committee room or joining the meeting via Microsoft Teams from their Leinster House offices but they may not participate from outside the parliamentary precincts. I ask members joining on Teams to mute their microphones when not making a contribution and to use the raise hand function to indicate. All those present in the committee room are asked to exercise personal responsibility to protect themselves from the risk of contracting Covid-19.

Today we are considering the recommendations of the Citizens' Assembly on Gender Equality regarding leadership in politics, public life and the workplace. We are delighted to have representatives from Women for Election and See Her Elected, as well as Dr. Fiona Buckley from University College Cork, joining us today. I welcome the following: Dr. Buckley, lecturer in the department of government and politics in UCC; Ms Caitríona Gleeson, CEO of Women For Election; and Ms Megan Reilly, training and engagement lead with Women For Election. I also welcome those joining us on Teams, Ms Tara Farrell, CEO of Longford Women’s Link, and Dr. Michelle Maher, manager of the See Her Elected programme. They are all very welcome.

Before we begin, I must read an important notice regarding parliamentary privilege. Witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they give to the committee. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to 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 asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity in such a way as to make them identifiable. Participants who are giving evidence from a location outside parliamentary precincts are asked to note that the constitutional protections afforded to those participating from with 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.

I will invite witnesses to make their opening statements before opening the floor to members for questions and answers. I ask Ms Gleeson to make her statement on behalf of Women for Election.