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

We continue with our discussion of integration and refugee issues. In this session, we are joined by officials from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Ms Sheenagh Rooney and Ms Carol Baxter, assistant secretaries. We have representatives from the County and City Managers Association and Local Government Management Agency, CCMA and LAMA, Mr. Michael Walsh, chief executive of Waterford City and County Council; Ms Sinead Carr, director of service, Tipperary County Council; and Ms Niamh McCarthy, national co-ordinator of the emergency vacant housing delivery (Ukraine) unit, EVHDU, of the LGMA. They are all very welcome to the meeting.

Before we begin, I will go through the normal housekeeping matters again. 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.

Each group will be allocated five minutes to deliver the opening statements and then there will be questions and answers with the members. I believe Ms Rooney and Ms Baxter are sharing time. I invite Ms Rooney to begin.