Micheál Carrigy (Fine Gael)
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The second item is our consideration of autism policy. I welcome our witnesses to the meeting today. We are joined by representatives from the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, IHREC: Ms Sinéad Gibney, chief commissioner; Dr. Frank Conaty, commissioner; and Dr. Rosaleen McDonagh, commissioner; by representatives from the Office of Ombudsman for Children: Dr. Niall Muldoon, Ombudsman for Children, Dr. Karen McAuley, head of policy; and Ms Áine Jackson, policy officer; and by representatives from the Office of the Ombudsman: Mr. Ger Deering, Ombudsman; and Ms Ann-Marie O’Boyle, investigator.

For the information of our witnesses, I wish to explain some limitations to parliamentary privilege and the practice of the Houses as regards references they may make to other persons in their evidence. The evidence of witnesses physically present or those who give evidence from within the parliamentary precincts is protected, pursuant to both the Constitution and statute, by absolute privilege. Witnesses giving evidence remotely from a place outside the parliamentary precincts may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as a witness physically present does. It is appropriate to take legal advice on this matter.

Witnesses are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that 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 or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. Therefore, if witnesses' statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction.

The remit of the committee is to consider services provided by the State for autistic people and we are pleased to have this opportunity to have a discussion from a human rights perspective. The committee is interested in hearing from the witness how the State can better serve autistic people and fulfil its obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Our witnesses have a vast wealth of knowledge and experience in the areas of human rights and disability rights, including the rights of those with autism and how they are served by current policy and implementation through the service provided by the various State bodies and other stakeholders. Our committee members have heard from a range of witnesses on areas such as education, health, employment, housing and more, and a number of these issues have particular impact on autistic children as well as adults. As we discuss autism policy, it is important to remember that autism is a lifelong condition and that children on the autism spectrum grow to be adults who are entitled to the same supports. The State has obligations to autistic children and adults alike and we look forward to our witnesses' contributions on how we can ensure the State effectively fulfils those obligations.

We are grateful to the witnesses for taking time out of their schedules to be with us here today. I propose that the following arrangements will apply. Our witnesses will make their statements for approximately five minutes, we will then have questions and answers from the members for five minutes each also, and should we have sufficient time afterwards, we will allow members to come back in. Before we hear from our witnesses, I propose we publish their opening statements on the committees website. Is this agreed? Agreed.

I now call Ms Gibney to make her opening statement on behalf of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission.