Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We are now in public session. I welcome the Minister for Health, Deputy James Reilly, the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, Dr. Ambrose McLoughlin, Ms Geraldine Fitzpatrick, Ms Grainne Duffy, Mr. Harry Harris and Ms Cate Hartigan. I remind those present, including members, media and those in the people in the Visitors Gallery that mobile telephones and Blackberrys must be turned off completely because they interfere with the sound system even if they are on silent.

By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they give this committee. If a witness is directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in regard to a particular matter and the witness continues to so do, the witness is entitled thereafter only to qualified privilege in respect of his or her evidence. Witnesses 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 nor make charges against any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

I invite the Minister for Health to make an opening statement.