Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome everybody to the meeting and remind everyone that mobile phones should be turned off or left in flight mode as they interfere with the broadcasting of proceedings. I welcome viewers on UPC channel 207.

We have received apologies from Deputies Ciara Conway, Regina Doherty and Mary Mitchell O'Connor and Senator Jillian van Turnhout. Deputy Sandra McLellan will be here soon.

I welcome the Minister for Health, Deputy James Reilly; Dr. Tony Holohan, chief medical officer; and from the HSE Ms Laverne McGuinness, Ms Kathleen MacLellan, Mr. Ian Carter and Mr. David Walsh. I thank all of them for attending. The purpose of the meeting is to hear from the Minister and the chief medical officer in the light of the report on perinatal deaths at the Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise. The committee has been concerned about this issue and we agree that the revelations in the report are shocking. The report which was commissioned by the Minister and carried out by Dr. Holohan has many sobering statistics and interesting observations to make. I hope all committee members will join me in congratulating the families on their bravery, in sympathising with them on their loss and hoping the report will in some way allow for a new and better day for many families as a result of what will happen not just in this hospital but others also.

Witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the committee. However, if they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. They are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person or an entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. Members are reminded of the long-standing ruling of the Chair to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I call on the Minister to make his opening remarks.