Chairman:

I welcome Mr. Pat Bergin, director, Oberstown Children Detention Centre, and Professor Ursula Kilkelly, chair of the board of management representatives, Oberstown Children Detention Centre.

I remind members to ensure their mobile telephones are switched off or switched to flight mode as they can interfere with the sound system, making it difficult for parliamentary reporters to report the meeting and adversely affecting television coverage and web-streaming.

I advise witnesses that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to this committee. If they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. They are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given. They are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

Any submissions or opening statements made to the committee will be published on its website after the meeting. I invite Mr. Pat Bergin to make his opening statement.