Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Members are required to participate in the meeting remotely from within the Leinster House precincts only.

I welcome the witnesses. Wtinesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the presentations they make to the committee. This means that they have an absolute privilege against any defamation action in respect of anything they say at the meeting. However, they are expected not to abuse this privilege and it is my duty as Cathaoirleach to ensure that this privilege is not abused. 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. Witnesses are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should comment on, criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable or to otherwise engage in speech that might be damaging to the good name of a person or entity.

Members are also reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person or entity outside the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or identifiable.

The committee will now consider the impact of means testing on the State pension and other social welfare schemes. This is the first meeting in a series that the committee intends to hold on the theme of means testing within the social welfare system. The committee is interested in the consequences of means testing and its future application across schemes. The committee is aware that the Department of Social Protection is undertaking a review of this topic at the moment and the committee looks forward to seeing the results of this review and collaborating with the Department on a system that will be equitable for all.

I welcome to the meeting the following witnesses: from ALONE, Mr. Seán Moynihan, chief executive officer, Ms Gráinne Loughran, senior policy advocacy officer, and Mr. Frank Dillon, head of communications and fundraising; from the Irish Senior Citizens Assembly, Ms Niamh Kavanagh, membership development officer, and Mr. Pat Mellon, national co-ordinator, who will be joining us shortly; and from Age Action, Dr. Nat O'Connor, senior public affairs and policy specialist, and Ms Mary Murphy, research officer, who will also be joining us shortly.

I now invite Mr. Moynihan to make his opening statement.