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

The committee will consider the general scheme of the Social Welfare (Bereaved Partner's Pension) Bill 2024 with officials from the Department of Social Protection, as part of the committee's pre-legislative scrutiny. We are joined by Mr. Tim Duggan, assistant secretary for pensions; Mr. Colum Walsh, principal officer, pensions; and Ms Karen Kennedy, assistant principal officer, pensions. They are all very welcome. I invite Mr. Duggan to make his opening statement.