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

I remind members to please turn off mobile telephones as they interfere with the recording and broadcasting equipment. Apologies have been received from Deputies Regina Doherty and Eamonn Maloney and Senator Imelda Henry.

I welcome the team from RTE's "Operation Transformation", Dr. Eva Orsmond, Dr. Eddie Murphy and Mr. Karl Henry. In particular I welcome the five leaders, Ms Charlotte O'Connell, Mr. Gavin Walker, Mr. Gregg Starr, Ms Monica Percy and Ms Deirdre Halford. I also welcome from the production crew Ms Niamh Bradley, Mr. Jack Britton, Mr. Andy Malone and Ms Brighid Breathnach. I thank committee members for attending. I wish everybody a happy Valentine's day and I hope the love in the room is transmitted throughout the country. I also hope the love remains within the room for the duration of the meeting.

Childhood obesity is part of the committee's work programme for 2012 and 2013 and we are very conscious there is a consequence to being overweight and we must be aware of the risk to our health. I pay tribute to the five leaders who have, in the full public glare of the nation, done Trojan work since they began the campaign. They are a credit to themselves and their families. They are fantastic role models and have shown that awareness and recognition pays dividends. I thank the three experts for coming before the committee.

Before we begin I wish to draw to the attention of witnesses the fact that they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the committee. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of their 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 or make charges against any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

I remind members of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against any person outside the Houses or an official, either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I call on Dr. Eddie Murphy to make his opening remarks.