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

I remind members and witnesses that mobile telephones should be completely switched off for the duration of the proceedings as they interfere with the broadcast and also are an interference for our staff, which is unfair. As this is also a workplace for members of staff, I would appreciate if all mobile telephones could be switched off rather than put on silent mode.

Our discussion this morning centres around the Health Service Executive Service Plan for 2013 and also issues pertaining to medical cards. I welcome Mr. Tony O'Brien, director general designate, Health Service Executive, and Ms Laverne McGuinness, chief operations officer, Mr. Brian Kirwan, chief operations officer, Mr. Liam Woods, Dr. Áine Carroll and Mr. Patrick Burke from the medical card service. I also welcome Mr. Ray Mitchell and thank him for his co-operation and for facilitating meetings between the committee and the HSE. His co-operation and helpfulness has been most welcome and we thank him.

I remind witnesses that they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the committee. 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 a person or persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I remind members of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that members should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or an official by name in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I thank everyone for attending and I invite Mr. Tony O'Brien to make his opening remarks.