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

The joint committee is in public session. I welcome to our meeting Dr. Ambrose McLoughlin, Secretary General of the Department of Health, Mr. Tony O' Brien, director general designate of the HSE, Mr. Fergal Lynch, assistant secretary, Department of Health, Ms Bairbre Nic Aongusa, assistant secretary, Mr. Paul Howard and Mr. Ray Mitchell. They are all very welcome. Dr. McLoughlin has joined us today to discuss the Department of Health's Statement of Strategy 2011-2014. Members should have received that strategy statement by e-mail last week and, if they do have a copy of it with them, we might have copies of it available. As this is Dr. McLoughlin's first official visit to the committee and engagement with us in his role as Secretary General, I welcome him, congratulate him on his appointment and wish him well during his tenure in his new and challenging position.

Before we commence I wish to remind the witnesses regarding privilege. Witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to this committee. However, if they are directed by the committee 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 they are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person or persons or entity by name in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person or persons outside the House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I invite Dr. McLoughlin to make his opening remarks.