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

We have received apologies from Deputies Brady and Cairns and Senator Clonan.

The item for consideration this afternoon is the pre-legislative scrutiny of the Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2023, which we are resuming. We are joined by Ms Teresa Heeney, chief executive officer, and Ms Frances Byrne, director of policy, from Early Childhood Ireland. From Empowering Children in Care, EPIC, we are joined by Ms Marissa Ryan, chief executive officer, and Mr. Conor Stitt, research and policy manager. From the Irish Foster Care Association, we are joined by Ms Bernadette Neville, interim chief executive officer, and Ms Karen Cahill, co-ordinator of the Irish Foster Care Association helpline. From the Independent Guardian Ad Litem Agency, we have Ms Claire Quinn, director and guardian ad litem, and Ms Nicola McCarthy, guardian ad litem.All of our guests are very welcome. I thank everyone for joining us.

Before we begin, I will go through the normal housekeeping matters. I advise everyone that the chat function on Microsoft Teams should only be used to make us aware of any technical issues or urgent matters that may arise during the meeting and should not be used to make general comments or statements.

In advance of inviting the witnesses who are here today to deliver their opening statements, I wish to advise them of the following in relation to parliamentary privilege. Witnesses who are participating from the committee room are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect 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 or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction.

I remind members of the constitutional requirement that they must be physically present within the confines of the Leinster House complex in order to participate in public meetings. I cannot permit a member to participate where he or she is not adhering to this constitutional requirement. Any member who attempts to participate from outside the precincts will be asked to leave the meeting. I ask any member who is participating via Microsoft Teams to confirm that he or she is on the grounds of the Leinster House complex.

Each group has been allocated five minutes for their opening slots, after which we will have questions and answers. We will start with Ms Heeney. She will be followed by Ms Ryan, Ms Neville and Ms Quinn.