Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Apologies have been received from Deputies Phelan and Cathal Crowe. Senator Flynn is expected to substitute for Senator Ruane. Before we begin, I request members to sit only in the permitted seats and in front of available microphones to ensure they are heard. This is important because not doing so causes serious problems for broadcast, editorial and sound staff. I also remind them to maintain social distance at all times during and following the meeting.

Our meeting today is to engage with stakeholders on the Ombudsman for Children's report entitled Unmet Needs. I welcome everybody and sincerely thank our witnesses for joining us. Ms Linda Comerford and Ms Vanessa Murphy are representatives of Enough is Enough. We also have Mr. Mark Smyth, president of the Psychological Society of Ireland, who is accompanied by Mr. Odhrán Allen, chief strategy officer with the Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland. We also have Mr. Gareth Noble, children's rights solicitor, who is accompanied by Ms Naomi Mulvany, legal assistant. Mr. Smyth has kindly agreed to deliver a joint opening statement on behalf of the Psychological Society of Ireland, the Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland and the Irish Association of Speech and Language Therapists.

With respect to parliamentary privilege, I advise witnesses that they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the presentation they make to the committee. That means that witnesses have an absolute defence against any defamation action for anything they say at the meeting. However, they are expected not to abuse the privilege and it is my duty, as Chair, to ensure privilege is not abused. Therefore, if our witnesses' statements are potentially defamatory to any identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks and it is imperative that they comply with any such direction.

The purpose of our meeting is to discuss the contents of the report published by Dr. Niall Muldoon, Ombudsman for Children, entitled Unmet Needs. The report was published in October 2020 with the objective of shining a light on the challenges facing children in Ireland who require access to an assessment of their needs. I am sure the witnesses are aware that we had the Ombudsman for Children before the committee last week. I will outline the format of the meeting. The order of witnesses for the opening statements is Ms Comerford followed by Mr. Smyth and then Mr. Noble. Where possible, speakers should stick to approximately three minutes for opening statements. Once all statements have been delivered, I will call on members in the order that they indicate to ask questions. I invite Ms Comerford to maker her opening statement.