Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The purpose of today's meeting is to discuss raising awareness of Article 23, which relates to respect for home and family life. From Disabled Women Ireland, we have Nem Kearns, Amy Hassett and Louise Milicevic, member and parent advocate. From the centre for disability law and policy, CDLP, at the University of Galway, we have Professor Eilionóir Flynn, director, and Emma Burns, researcher. All of the witnesses are joining us remotely and are very welcome to the committee. Because the Finance Bill is going through the Dáil and we are likely to be disturbed for votes and because the witnesses are joining us remotely, it will be best for everybody to take the opening statements the organisations have provided as read and to go straight into questions from the committee. It would be nearly impossible to adjourn as we normally do if we were required for votes. I make that suggestion out of respect for everybody.

I remind members of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside of the Houses in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. Members participating remotely are reminded that they can only join from within the confines of Leinster House.

Without further ado, I ask Deputy Ellis to put his questions to our witnesses.