Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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The agenda item for consideration this afternoon is the resumption of pre-Committee Stage detailed scrutiny of the Commission for Future Generations Bill 2023, which is a Private Members' Bill in the name of and drafted by Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh. Its main aim is to establish an independent commission for future generations which will report on how best to establish an office of ombudsman for future generations to act as a guardian for the interests of future generations of Ireland. The committee met with a number of stakeholders last week regarding the provisions of the Bill. It was an informative session. Invitations were issued to two academics to appear before the committee this afternoon, but, unfortunately, due to other diary commitments and unforeseen circumstances, they had to decline the invitation.

In addition to the sponsor of the Bill, Deputy Ó Cathasaigh, we are joined today by Ms Valerie Duffy, who is the global youth work programme manager with the National Youth Council of Ireland, NYCI, and Ms Diandra Ní Bhuachalla, who is an NYCI project officer with the Youth 2030 project. They are very welcome to this meeting.

Before we begin, I will go through a few housekeeping matters. I advise members that the chat function on Microsoft Teams should only be used to make the on-site team aware of any technical issues or urgent matters that may arise during the meeting. It should not be used to make general comments or statements. I remind members of the constitutional requirement that they must be physically present within the confines of the Leinster House complex in order to participate in public meetings. I will not permit a member to participate where he or she is not adhering to this constitutional requirement. Any member who attempts to participate from outside the precincts will be asked to leave the meeting. In that regard, I ask anyone who is joining us online via Microsoft Teams to confirm he or she is on the grounds of the Leinster House campus prior to making a contribution.

In advance of inviting witnesses to deliver their opening statements, I advise them all of the following in relation to parliamentary privilege. 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 and members 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 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 they comply with any such direction.

Deputy Ó Cathasaigh and the witnesses will be allocated five minutes to deliver their opening statements, which will be followed by a question-and-answer session with members. That completes our housekeeping matters. I will now proceed with the meeting. I invite Deputy Ó Cathasaigh to deliver his opening statement.