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

I remind members, witnesses and those in the Gallery to ensure mobile phones are switched off or in flight mode as they interfere with the broadcasting of proceedings and the work of staff. This is our quarterly meeting with representatives of the Department of Health and the HSE, as well as the Minister for Health, Deputy James Reilly, and the Minister of State, Deputy Alex White. I thank everyone for attending. We have received apologies from the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, and Mr. Tony O'Brien, the chief executive of the HSE, as well as Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick.

Members have submitted written questions in advance and the responses to those have been circulated. If there was any delay in members getting them, it was beyond the control of the committee secretariat. For the benefit of officials, I remind those attending about privilege. Witnesses are protected by privilege in respect of the evidence they give to the committee. However, if they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to a 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 are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, 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. Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice and ruling of the Chair to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I welcome the Minister, Deputy Reilly; the Minister of State, Deputy White; Dr. Siobhán O'Halloran, chief nursing officer; Mr. Matthew Collins, principal officer responsible for eligibility in the Department of Health; Ms Fiona Prendergast of the finance unit in the Department of Health; and Mr. Paul Howard and Mr. Seamus Hempenstall, also of the Department of Health. From the Health Service Executive we have Ms Laverne McGuinness, deputy director general and chief operations officer; Mr. Stephen Mulvany, chief financial officer; Mr. Pat Healy, national director of social care; Mr. John Hennessy, national director of primary care; Dr. Anne O'Connor, national director of mental health; Dr. Áine Carroll, national director of clinical strategy and programmes; Dr. Tony O'Connell, national director of acute services; and Mr. Dara Purcell from the office of the director general.

Maybe it is for the last time - although it may not be - at the health committee-----