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

Apologies have been received from Deputies Sherlock and Brady. Our agenda item for consideration is a discussion on child protection. We have two sessions. In the first, we have the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Deputy O’Gorman, and officials from his Department: Mr. Des Delaney, Government chief social worker; Ms Marie Kennedy, principal officer; and Mr. David Byrne, principal officer.

We have Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, with us as well. We have Ms Kate Duggan, interim chief executive officer; Mr. Ger Brophy, chief social worker; Ms Lorna Kavanagh, area manager for national services and integration; and Ms Clare Murphy, national director of services and integration.

As I said, we have two sessions. At the second session, we will be joined by Ms Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC, special rapporteur on child protection.

They are all very welcome and I thank them for being here. I welcome back members to our first meeting of this term.

Before I begin, I will go through the usual housekeeping matters. For anyone who is joining us remotely, the chat function on MS Teams is only to be used if there are any technical issues or they want to let us know of any urgent matters. It is not be used for any general comments or statements throughout the meeting.

I remind members of the constitutional requirement that they must 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 they are not adhering to this constitutional requirement. Therefore, any member who attempts to participate from outside the precincts will be asked to leave the meeting. In this regard, I ask any member partaking via MS Teams to confirm they are on the grounds of the Leinster House campus prior to making their contribution.

We have opening statements, which will be followed by questions and answers. The first session of this meeting has to be concluded not later than 7.45 p.m. I ask everyone to bear that in mind.

In advance of inviting witnesses to deliver their opening statements, I advise them of the following in respect of parliamentary privilege. Witnesses and members 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 the 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 that they comply with any such direction.

That completes all of the housekeeping matters. I call the Minister to make his opening statement.