Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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The purpose of the session is to begin a series of engagements on the reform of the family law system. We are joined by Dr. Conor O'Mahony, senior lecturer in constitutional law and child law at University College Cork; from the Children's Rights Alliance, Ms Saoirse Brady, legal and policy director, and Ms Julie Ahern, access to justice manager; from the Law Society of Ireland, Mr. Keith Walsh, chairman of the family and child law committee, and Ms Helen Coughlan, also a member of that committee; and from the Rape Crisis Network Ireland, Dr. Clíona Saidléar, executive director, and Ms Caroline Counihan BL, legal director. They are very welcome and I will shortly invite them to make their opening statements. I propose to invite them to contribute in the order in which I have introduced them.

By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they are to give to the joint committee. If, however, they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and 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 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, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

Members are reminded that under the salient rulings of the Chair, 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.

I invite Dr. O'Mahony to make his opening statement.