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

I again thank everyone for being here. This is our sixth session in a series of hearings that the joint committee has been asked to conduct to discuss the heads of the protection of life during pregnancy Bill 2013. I ask all members to be brief in their contributions. If people do not interject more than once, it will be fair to everyone. In the last session some members could not get in because certain things happened. If people could keep their comments brief, it will allow for greater participation by members.

I welcome to this session Dr. Yolande Ferguson, Dr. Peadar O'Grady, Professor Veronica O'Keane and Dr. Eamonn Moloney. Like all of our expert witnesses, they are here to assist and give of their time voluntarily. I thank them most sincerely for being here and assisting us. Before we commence, I remind them of the position on privilege. Witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they are to give to the committee. However, if they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to 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 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 an entity by name or in such a way as to make him or her or it identifiable. Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice or ruling of the Chair 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. With that, I call on Dr. O'Grady to make his opening remarks.