Good morning everybody. I welcome you all to the public meeting of the Joint Committee on Autism. We have apologies from Deputy Pat Buckley.
Before we start, I want to read some formal notices. All those present in the committee room are asked to exercise personal responsibility to protect themselves and others from the risk of contracting Covid-19. I remind members of the constitutional requirement that members must be physically present within the confines of the place where Parliament has chosen to sit, namely Leinster House, in order to participate in public meetings. I will not permit a member to participate where they are not adhering to this constitutional requirement. Any member who attempts to participate from outside the parliamentary precincts will be asked to leave the meeting.
For the information of our witnesses, I wish to explain some limitations to parliamentary privilege and the practice of the Houses regarding references they 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 any such 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 a person or entity. If witnesses' 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.
For the information of members, the Seanad has agreed to a request for a special meeting with autism representative groups from throughout the country in the Seanad Chamber on Thursday, 2 March 2023 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
At the request of the Working Group of Committee Chairpersons, we will endeavour to finish our meeting by 2 p.m. at the latest, as another meeting is taking place straight afterwards.
I propose that the following arrangements will apply: our witnesses will make their opening statement for five minutes; we will then have questions and answers with members. Each member will have a minimum of five minutes. They may speak more than once, and will be called as per the speaking slot which was sent around on Microsoft Teams. Is that agreed? Agreed.
The first item on our agenda is the minutes of our previous meetings. Are the minutes of the public meetings held on 2 February 2023 and 14 February 2023 agreed? Agreed.