Ciara Conway (Waterford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

This is the final meeting in a series of meetings the joint committee has convened on the issue of tackling childhood obesity. It is intended that in the next week or two the joint committee will consider adopting a report on this matter under the stewardship of Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick who has kindly volunteered to be the rapporteur for the committee on this subject. In this regard, I welcome from the W82GO! childhood obesity programme at Temple Street Children's University Hospital, Dr. Sinead Murphy, consultant paediatrician and clinical lead; Dr. Aoife Brinkley, senior clinical psychologist; Ms Grace O'Malley, senior physiotherapist; and Ms Kizzy Moroney, paediatric dietician. I also welcome Ms Richelle Flanagan, dietitian and president, Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute, and Ms Emma Ball, community dietitian manager, HSE north west.

Before we commence, I wish to advise that while witnesses 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 Member of either House, a person outside the House or an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that members 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 invite Dr. Murphy to make the opening presentation.