Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The main purpose of the meeting today is for the joint committee to further consider the review of the operation of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018, the report which was conducted for the Minister for Health, Deputy Donnelly, and was referred to the committee by the Minister for consideration. The committee has already met with Ms Marie O'Shea BL, the chair of the review in May of this year when we discussed the matter in detail. Arising from that, members were individually invited to identify issues of concern to them which they felt were not covered at the original meeting, and these have been circulated again to members and to Ms Marie O'Shea. The purpose of today's meeting is primarily to address some of these outstanding issues.

To assist the committee further in its consideration of the review, I am pleased to welcome again Ms Marie O'Shea who is accompanied by Dr. Catherine Conlon, assistant professor in Trinity College Dublin, and Dr. Deirdre Duffy, senior lecturer at Lancaster University. I thank Dr. Duffy for travelling over, at considerable expense to herself, to attend the meeting this morning. On behalf of the committee, we appreciate that.

Witnesses 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 by me to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative they comply with any such direction.

Members are also reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses, or an official, either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I also remind members of the constitutional requirement that they must be physically present within the confines of the Leinster House complex to participate in public meetings. I will not permit members to participate where 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. In this regard, I ask any members taking part via MS Teams that, prior to making their contribution to the meeting, they confirm they are on the grounds of the Leinster House complex. As this is Ms O'Shea's second engagement with the committee, she will not make an opening statement but she may wish to make some introductory remarks.