Apologies have been received from Deputy Tully, who has asked Deputy Ó Murchú to substitute for her today.
Before we start our business, I will read some formal notices. All those present in the 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. Therefore, any member who attempts to speak from outside the 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 as regards references they may make to other persons in their evidence. The evidence of witnesses physically present or of those who give evidence from within the parliamentary precincts is protected, pursuant to both the Constitution and statute, by absolute privilege. They are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect 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 that they comply with any such direction.
I suggest we take a moment to reflect on World Autism Awareness Day, which will fall next Sunday, 2 April. This committee will do its part in raising awareness of autism. In 2007, the United Nations General Assembly decided to designate 2 April as World Autism Awareness Day to be observed every year beginning in 2008. The UN invites all member states, relevant organisations of the United Nations, international organisations and civil society bodies, including NGOs and the private sector, to observe World Autism Awareness Day in an appropriate manner to raise public awareness of autism. The UN encourages member states to take measures to raise awareness throughout society, including at the family level, regarding children with autism. This committee, the Joint Committee on Autism, will do its part in raising awareness of autism, especially regarding children. The committee will be asking all special schools to stay open for autistic children this summer by taking part in the summer programme in 2023. Several events are planned to mark World Autism Awareness Day. The Houses of the Oireachtas will hold an event on Wednesday, 26 April to raise awareness of autism in Leinster House, the home of Parliament in Ireland, and to announce in conjunction with AsIAm that Leinster House and its complex will be an autism-friendly building before the end of 2023.
Our meeting next Thursday, which will be held in private session, will begin at the later time of 12.30 p.m. in order to allow members to attend an event that is being organised by AsIAm in the Royal College of Surgeons that morning to raise awareness for World Autism Month.
Regarding arrangements for today’s meeting, our meeting is billed for three hours. However, should it go over two hours, we will take a short break. I propose that the usual arrangements will apply in this meeting. Our witnesses will be asked to make their opening statements for approximately five minutes. We will then have questions and answers with the members who will each have a minimum of five minutes. Members may speak more than once and will be called in accordance with the speaking arrangements which were circulated to all members. At the request of the working group of committee cathaoirligh, we will finish our meeting at 2 p.m. at the latest.
The first item on our agenda is the minutes of our previous meetings, which were held on 16 February, 23 February, 28 February, 2 March, 7 March and 9 March. These minutes were already approved in private session, but I ask that they be approved in public session. Is that agreed? Agreed.