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

I welcome everyone to this afternoon's session. Is it agreed that we begin in public session? Agreed.

I remind members of the committee, witnesses and those in the Visitors Gallery, be they members of the media or members of the public, to ensure their mobile telephones are switched off for the duration of the meeting as they interfere with the broadcasting equipment even when they are on silent mode. It is particularly unfair to members of staff who have to wear headphones.

Over 500 submissions were received by the committee prior to today’s meeting. Not all of them could be given to members. However, the submission referred to earlier this morning has been e-mailed to members. Any documentation, if it is made available by a delegation the day before the hearings, will be given to members in advance.

I acknowledge the presence in the Visitors Gallery of former Deputy, Ms Geraldine Kennedy, and former Ministers, Ms Gemma Hussey and Ms Nora Owen. I also acknowledge the presence this morning of Ms Mary Banotti. I thank those watching these proceedings on UPC or the Oireachtas live feed. It is very much appreciated that people are taking time to watch the proceedings of this committee.

With that said, we are in our third session of hearings to discuss the heads of the protection of life during pregnancy Bill 2013. I welcome Dr. Peter Boylan, Dr. Sam Coulter-Smith and Dr. Rhona Mahony. Before we begin I wish to remind you of the position regarding privilege. Witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they are to give to the committee. However, if you are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in respect of a particular matter and you continue to do so, you are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of your evidence. You are directed to give only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings and you are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, you 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 or her identifiable. Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice or ruling of the Chair to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I remind all members that the witnesses are here voluntarily to give of their time and I hope we will all show respect to them and to each other in our language and in the way we behave in the Chamber. We are now ready for opening statements. I call on Dr. Boylan to make his opening remarks.