Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Apologies have been received from Senators Blaney and Black and Ms Claire Hanna, MP. Just before moving on to the business of the committee, I want to wish all of the MPs who have served on this committee every success if they stand in the forthcoming election. Their involvement with this committee has been very useful. We have had fantastic discussions at all of our meetings and hopefully that will continue into the future. I wish them every success.

On behalf of the committee I welcome Ms Sophie Nelson, policy development officer with HERe NI, to discuss women and constitutional change. I thank her for her attendance here today. Before we begin I wish to explain some limitations to parliamentary privilege and the practice of the Houses as regards references witnesses may make to another person or 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. However, witnesses and participants who are to give evidence from a location outside the parliamentary precincts are asked to note that they may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as a witness giving evidence from within the parliamentary precincts does and may consider it appropriate to take legal advice on the matter. Witnesses are also asked to note that only evidence connected with the subject matter of the proceedings should be given and should respect directions given by the Chair. They should also respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should neither criticise nor make charges against any person, persons or entity either 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. Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or an official, either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I now call Ms Nelson to make her opening statement.