John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We have received apologies from Senator Higgins. Deputy Durkan is in the Chamber and Deputies Doherty and Farrell will be here shortly. I want to record the minutes of the joint committee's meeting on Wednesday 1 March and Thursday 2 March. These were agreed at the committee's earlier, private meeting.

Today we are dealing with submissions from FLAC and MABS. We are joined by Ms Eilis Barry, Mr. Paul Joyce, Mr. Dermot Sreenan, Mr. Gerard O'Brien and Dr. Amie Lajoie. I welcome the witnesses.

I remind members and the witnesses about privilege. Attendees who are present on the Leinster House campus have full privilege. If not on the Leinster House campus, they may only have a limited privilege. They are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. We will commence our meeting with the opening statements, after which members will put questions to the witnesses.