Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
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I welcome representatives from the Office for Internet Safety and CyberSafeIreland. Specifically, I welcome Ms Siobhán McCabe, assistant principal officer, and Ms Eileen Leahy, principal officer, and from CyberSafeIreland, Ms Alex Cooney, chief executive officer, Ms Cliona Curley, programme director, and Dr. Maggie Brennan, scientific adviser. They are all very welcome.

Before we commence, in accordance with procedure, I am required to draw the witnesses' attention to the fact 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 the committee. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to a 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 and 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, her or it 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 either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I ask our guests to switch off their mobile phones as they have a tendency to interfere with our broadcast systems, including our webcast and sound quality. I advise the witnesses that any submission or opening statement they have made or will make to the committee will be published on the committee website after this meeting. I understand our witnesses have prepared opening statements. In the interest of time, I ask them to keep their presentations to within five minutes. I call Ms Leahy of the Office of Internet Safety to make her opening statement. She will be followed by our guests from CyberSafeIreland.