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

I thank members for their patience and forbearance and I apologise to our witnesses for the delay. We had a debate on the cessation of smoking within the Leinster House campus, which also comes under our remit.

We are holding our final hearing on the issue of childhood obesity. I welcome Dr. Muireann Cullen, Nutrition and Health Foundation; Mr. Barry Walsh, Institute of Leisure and Amenity Management, ILAM; Ms Christine Moloney, ILAM and chief executive officer of Leisure World, Bishopstown, Cork; and Mr. Trevor Walsh, a food critic who has written extensively on this topic. We have held a series of meetings on this issue, which is a priority in the committee's work programme for 2012. The opening statements should be no longer than eight minutes.

I draw attention to the fact that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, 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 in respect of 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, persons or entity by name or in such as 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 outside the Houses or an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I call Dr. Cullen to make her opening remarks.