Micheál Carrigy (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Good morning everybody. I welcome you all to the public meeting of the Joint Committee on Autism. We have received no apologies. Senator Catherine Ardagh will be arriving later in the meeting.

Before we start our business, I want to read some formal notices. All those present in the committee room are asked to exercise personal responsibility to protect themselves and others from the risk of contracting Covid-19. With regard to privilege, I remind members of the constitutional requirement that they must be physically present within the confines of the place where Parliament has chosen to sit, namely Leinster House, in order to participate in public meetings. I will not permit a member to participate where they are not adhering to this constitutional requirement. Therefore, any member who attempts to participate from outside the parliamentary precincts will be asked to leave the meeting.

For the information of our witnesses, I wish to explain some limitations to parliamentary privilege and the practice of the Houses regarding references they may make to other persons in their evidence. The evidence of witnesses physically present, or who give evidence from within the parliamentary precincts, is protected pursuant to both the Constitution and statute by absolute privilege. 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 any such 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 a 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.

For the information of members, we will have a round-table discussion about public concern regarding services and supports provided by the State for autistic people in the Seanad Chamber on Thursday, 2 March 2023 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with mainly parents of autistic pupils and students, and from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. with mainly autistic self-advocates.

At the request of the Working Group of Committee Cathaoirligh, we will endeavour to finish our meeting at 2 p.m. due to another meeting to take place in this room afterwards. Should it appear that this meeting will continue for more than two hours, we will take a short break at around 12.45 p.m.

I propose that the following usual arrangements will apply: our witnesses will make their opening statements for five minutes and we will then have questions and answers with members. Each member will have five minutes and should there be sufficient time, members may speak more than once. Members will be called as per the week two speaking slot which was circulated. Is that agreed? Agreed.

The first item on our agenda are the minutes of our previous meeting. Are the minutes of the meeting held on 21 February 2023 agreed? Agreed.