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

The item for consideration this afternoon is challenges facing women accessing education, leadership and political roles. We are joined by Ms Rachel Coyle, head of campaigns and mobilisation, and Ms Ciara McHugh, leadership officer, National Women's Council of Ireland, NWCI; and Ms Miriam Holt, chief executive officer, and Ms Vivienne Glanville, national programme co-ordinator, from Women's Collective Ireland. They are all welcome and I thank them for coming along to the meeting.

I will go through some housekeeping matters. I remind anyone joining us on Teams that the chat function is only to make us aware of urgent matters or technical issues and not to make general comments or statements. I remind members of the constitutional requirement to be physically present within the confines of the Leinster House complex to participate in public meetings. I will not permit a member to participate where he or she is not adhering to this constitutional requirement. I ask any members joining us on Teams to confirm they are on the grounds of the Leinster House complex before making their contribution.

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

We have a five-minute opening slot for each group and then we will call on members for their questions. We are starting with Ms Coyle.