Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Apologies have been received from Deputies Funchion and Sherlock. The purpose of the meeting is to consider the Civil Law Act 2022 (Section 4 (2)) (Scheme Termination Date) Order 2023, to continue payments to hosts of Ukrainian refugees, which has been referred by the Dáil and the Seanad under the relevant Standing Orders. We are joined today by the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Deputy O'Gorman, and Mr. John Lohan, principal officer. They are both very welcome to the meeting.

Before we begin, I have a few housekeeping matters to go through. I remind members of the constitutional requirement that they must be physically present within the confines of the Leinster House complex to participate in public meetings. I cannot permit a member to participate where they are not adhering to this requirement. Therefore, any member who attempts to participate from outside the precincts will be asked to leave the meeting. In this regard, I ask members partaking via MS Teams that, prior to making their contributions, they confirm they are on the grounds of the Leinster House campus.

In advance of inviting the Minister to deliver his opening statement, I wish to advise him of the following in respect of parliamentary privilege. For witnesses who are participating from the committee room, they are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect 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 their statements are potentially defamatory of an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative they comply with any such direction. The opening statement will be followed by a decision on agreement of the motion, and if time allows, some questions on it. I invite the Minister to make his opening remarks.