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

On our agenda now is the pre-Committee Stage detailed scrutiny of the Autism Spectrum Disorder Bill 2017, sponsored by Deputy Canney. Joining us are Deputies Canney and Naughten. Representing the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth are Mr. Niall Brunell, principal officer in disability equality policy, Mr. Donie O'Shea, policy adviser, Mr. Jason Doran, assistant principal in disability children's services, and Ms Clare Gray, assistant principal in disability equality policy. Also in attendance are officials from the HSE in support of their colleagues. They are Mr. Bernard O'Regan, head of operations in the HSE's disability services, and Dr. Rosie Gowran, clinical lead of the national clinical programme for people with disability. Our meeting will be in two sessions. This session must conclude not later than 4.30 p.m.

I will go through some normal housekeeping matters. For anyone joining us remotely, the chat function on MS Teams should only be used to make the team on site aware of any technical issues or urgent matters that may arise during the meeting and should not be used to make general comments or statements.

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 will not permit a member to participate where he or she is not adhering to this constitutional requirement. If members are joining us through Teams, they must confirm whether they are on the Leinster House campus.

As is the case in all of our sessions, opening statements will be followed by questions and answers. In advance of inviting witnesses to deliver their opening statements, I advise them of the following in respect of parliamentary 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 their statements are potentially defamatory in respect of an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative they comply with any such direction. Everyone will be glad to know that completes the housekeeping matters.

Before I invite Deputy Canney to deliver his opening statement, I believe he has requested that the committee engage with the Irish Society for Autism regarding the Bill. I propose we request a written submission from that group. Is that agreed? Agreed.

I further propose to members that we forward Deputy Canney's proposed list of amendments to the Bill to the Office of Parliamentary Legal Advisers, OPLA. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Deputy Canney, the floor is yours.