John Paul O'Shea (Cork North-West, Fine Gael)

I will read a note on privilege and housekeeping matters before I begin. 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 would be regarded as damaging to the good name of a person or entity. 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 I might make.

Members attending remotely are reminded of the constitutional requirement that, to participate in public meetings, members must be physically present within the confines of the Leinster House complex. This is due to the constitutional requirement that, to participate in public meetings, members must be physically present within the confines of the place where the Parliament has chosen to sit. In this regard, I ask members participating via Microsoft Teams to confirm they are on the grounds of the Leinster House complex if they wish to contribute to the meeting. I remind all those in attendance to make sure their mobile phones are switched off or on silent mode.

I welcome our witnesses this morning. From the Community Platform, we have Dr. Nat O'Connor, assistant professor of social policy, University College Dublin, UCD; Ms. Gayle Smith, information and policy officer, Treoir; and Mr. Paul Ginnell, director of European Anti-Poverty Network, EAPN, Ireland. From the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, we have Ms. Louise Bayliss, head of social justice and policy, and Mr. Robert Thornton, manager at the Vincentian MESL Research Centre. I thank all the witnesses for attending this meeting to discuss and review matters relating to child poverty. This discussion is also particularly timely as the United Nations International Day for the Eradication of Poverty occurs this Friday, 17 October. I invite Dr. O'Connor from the Community Platform to make his opening remarks.