Deputy Jennifer Whitmore is substituting for Deputy Holly Cairns. Deputy Alan Farrell will substitute for Deputy John Paul Phelan. Today, we will consider Committee Stage of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill 2022. I welcome the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and his officials to the meeting.
All witnesses and members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should 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 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.
I remind members of the constitutional requirement that members must be physically present in the confines of the Leinster House complex to participate in public meetings. I will not permit members to participate when they are not adhering to this constitutional requirement. Therefore, any member who attempts to participate from outside the precincts will be asked to leave the meeting. I ask members participating via Teams to confirm that they are on the grounds of the Leinster House campus prior to making their contributions. If a division is called, members must physically come to the committee room in order to vote.