We are thrilled to have our guests with us. We have received apologies from Deputy Munster and Senator Hoey. The rest of my colleagues can introduce themselves as we go around the room.
We have two separate sessions today to examine the topic of inclusion in sport. The first session is convened with pupils from St. Joseph’s Mercy Secondary School in Navan in County Meath to discuss their P.E.-riod investigation project, which examines the mental and physical effects the menstrual cycle has on performance and participation in sport. In our second session, we will continue our examination on the topic of inclusion in sport and hear from the Disabled Persons Organisations Network, Sport Against Racism, Sporting Pride Ireland and Trust Ireland.
If our guests do not mind, we will do a little bit of housekeeping to begin with. We have some committee business to dispose of before we have the opening statements. Are the draft minutes of our meeting of 24 May 2023 formally agreed with no matters arising? Agreed.
I warmly welcome Mia Galligan and Mya Doocey. We look forward to hearing about their work, project and research. We are grateful to be able to hear the views of young people on these issues and to the students’ teacher, Ms Fiona Leavy, for facilitating this engagement. I do not think she can be with us today but we thank her. We also welcome Karen and Damien Galligan, who accompanied the students and are attending the session as observers.
Mya and Mia are here to discuss, as I said, their project entitled P.E.-riod, which is an investigation on the physical and mental effects the menstrual cycle has on performance and participation in sport. The committee notes with interest the commendation the project received at this year’s BT Young Scientist and Technology awards and has agreed to consider the project as part of its examination on the topic of inclusion in sport.
The format of today’s meeting is that I will invite the witnesses to deliver their opening statements, which are limited to three minutes each. However, if our guests wish to speak for longer, that is absolutely fine. As they are probably aware, the committee may publish the opening statements on its webpage. That will then be followed by questions by my members. Is that all agreed? Agreed.
Before we proceed to opening statements, I wish to explain some limitations in relation to parliamentary privilege and the practice of the Houses as regards references witnesses may make to other persons in their evidence.
The evidence of witnesses who are physically present or who give evidence from within the parliamentary precincts is protected by absolute privilege pursuant to the Constitution and statute in respect of the presentation they make to the committee. Witnesses are again reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise, or make charges against a 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 that person or entity. Therefore, if statements are potentially defamatory in regard to an identifiable person or entity, witnesses will be directed to discontinue their remarks.
Members are also reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise, or make charges against a person or entity outside the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make her or him identifiable. I remind members of the constitutional requirement that members must be physically present within the confines of Leinster House to participate in the public meeting.
With that done, I turn to our witnesses, Mia Galligan and Mya Doocey. At your own pace, I ask you to make your opening statement.