Joan Freeman (Independent)
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I welcome Ms Deirdre Malone, executive director, and Ms Michelle Martyn from the Irish Penal Reform Trust, IPRT; Mr. Michael Donnellan, director general and Mr. Enda Kelly, national operational nurse manager, Irish Prison Service; Professor Harry Kennedy, clinical director, and Mr. Peter Byrne, peer educator service with the national forensic mental health service at the Central Mental Hospital, CMH; Mr. Pat Bergin, campus director, and Mr. Damien Hernon, deputy director, Oberstown Children Detention Campus. On behalf of the committee I thank the witnesses for their attendance. They will be invited to make a brief opening statement, which will be followed by a question and answer session.

I draw the witnesses' attention to the fact that, by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the committee. However, if they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to do so, 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 and asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person, persons 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 or outside the Houses or an official, either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I remind members and witnesses to turn off their mobile phones or switch them to flight mode because it causes havoc with recording. I ask members and witnesses to place their mobile phones on the floor.

I invite Ms Deirdre Malone to make her opening statement.