Liam Twomey (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Ms Orla Barry and Ms Caroline McGrath of Mental Health Reform; Dr. Matthew Sadlier and Ms Vanessa Hetherington of the Irish Medical Organisation; Ms Kathleen O'Meara of the Irish Cancer Society; and Mr. Chris Macey of the Irish Heart Foundation. Members have been circulated with the submissions received and a summary paper in advance of the meeting. Each group will make a brief introductory comment not exceeding three minutes.

I remind everyone that all mobile phones must be switched off. I advise the witnesses that, by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to this committee. If they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to so do, 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. They are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person or persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. Members are reminded of the long-standing ruling of the Chair to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or any official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I ask a representative of each of the four organisations to make some brief comments before we proceed to a question-and-answer session.