Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Apologies have been received from Deputy Brian Leddin, and Senators Tom Clonan, Erin McGreehan and Mary Seery Kearney.

The purpose of today's meeting is to discuss future-proofing to improve life and longevity for persons with disabilities. On behalf of the committee, I welcome representatives from the Intellectual Disability Supplement to The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing, IDS-TILDA, the Trinity Centre for Ageing and Intellectual Disability, Trinity College Dublin. We have Professor Mary McCarron, director, Dr. Eilish Burke, co-director, Dr. Martin McMahon, associate director, and Dr. Eimear McGlinchey, assistant professor. I welcome them all to the meeting.

Before we begin, witnesses are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person or entity in such a way as to make him or her identifiable or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the name of a person or entity. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory in relation to identifiable persons or entities, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction.

Members are reminded of the same long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against any person or an official outside the House, either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. Members must be physically present within the confines of Leinster House complex if they are contributing to the meeting remotely.

Without further ado, I invite Professor McCarron to make her opening remarks.