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

I welcome the delegation from the Irish Medicines Board - Mr. Pat O'Mahony, chief executive, and Ms Ann O'Connor, director for human products authorisation and registration - to our meeting. I remind members and witnesses that mobile phones should be switched off.

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 so do, 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 criticise or make charges against a person or persons 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 parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person or persons outside the Houses or an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I call Mr. O'Mahony to begin his presentation.