Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein)
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The next items of business on the agenda are our engagement with the Ombudsman for Children's office and our consideration of public petitions.

I will explain some limitations to parliamentary privilege and the practice of the Houses as regards reference witnesses 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 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 respect of an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction.

Before we hear from our witnesses, I propose that we publish the opening statement on the committee's website. Is that agreed? Agreed.

On behalf of the committee, I extend a warm welcome to Dr. Niall Muldoon, Ombudsman for Children; Dr. Carmel Corrigan, head of participation and rights education; and Ms Ciara Gill, policy officer, Office of the Ombudsman for Children. Dr. Muldoon will make the opening statement for approximately ten minutes. We will then have questions and comments from Members. Each Member will have ten minutes. Members may speak more than once. If we keep to the timeline, everybody should get in for a second or a third round of questions.

I invite Dr. Muldoon to make his opening statement.