Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein)
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Apologies have been received from Senator Seery Kearney. The agenda item for consideration this afternoon is pre-Committee Stage detailed scrutiny of the Parental Bereavement Leave (Amendment) Bill 2021, sponsored by Deputy Cronin. As members will already be aware, this Private Members' Bill was drafted by Deputy Cronin and its principal aim is to provide for an entitlement to bereavement leave for an employee who is a bereaved parent of a child who has died. This leave entitlement should be for a period of not less than ten working days for a child under the age of 18 and should also apply in the case of a stillborn child born after 24 weeks of pregnancy. Joining us in session 1 to discuss the provisions of the Bill are officials from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, namely, Ms Carol Baxter, assistant secretary, and Ms Lisa Hughes, assistant principal. Also present is the sponsor of the Bill, Deputy Cronin. In session 2, we will be joined by Ms Nina Doyle, regional co-ordinator and parent representative for Féileacáin, as well as Ms Caroline Smith and Mr. Martin Smith. Deputy Cronin will remain with us for session 2. Everyone is very welcome to the meeting.

I will now deal with the normal housekeeping matters. I wish to advise those joining us on MS Teams that the chat function is only to make us aware of urgent matters or technical issues and not to make general comments or statements. Members are reminded 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 that constitutional requirement. If any member attempts to participate from outside the precincts, he or she will be asked to leave the meeting. In that regard, I ask those partaking via MS Teams to confirm, prior to making a contribution, that they are on the grounds of the Leinster House campus.

As regards parliamentary privilege, in advance of inviting witnesses to deliver their opening statements, I advise them that 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 and members 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 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 opening statements will be followed by a questions and answers session with members. I invite Deputy Cronin to make her opening statement.