Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Apologies have been received from Deputies Tully and Feighan and Sorcha Eastwood MP, Dáire Hughes MP and John Finucane MP.

On behalf of the committee, I welcome our guests to our meeting today: Ms Andrée Murphy, deputy director of Relatives for Justice; Ms Orla O'Connor, director, Ms Kate Mitchell, head of development and policy, and Ms Rachel Coyle, head of campaigns and policy, from the National Women's Council; and Reverend Karen Sethuraman, who has been here before and is welcome for her work in bringing communities together in particular. I thank them all for their attendance.

I will 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. This is a standard thing I have to read out. The evidence of witnesses who are 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 they may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as a witness giving evidence from within the parliamentary precincts. They may consider it appropriate to take legal advice on this matter. Witnesses are also asked to note that only evidence connected with the subject matter 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, her or it identifiable. I see Claire Hanna MP behind the witnesses on the screen on the wall. I congratulate her on behalf of the committee. She is the new leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party. It was a pleasure to meet her at the weekend. I wish her all the best for the future. We have people online and here; it might be a little confusing. I call Reverend Sethuraman and will then call Ms Murphy, Ms O'Connor and Ms Mitchell, in that order.