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

I thank everybody for being here. I remind those in the Gallery, as well as the witnesses and members of the committee, that mobile phones should be off or in aeroplane mode as they interfere with the broadcasting of proceedings. I welcome our witnesses to this session of end-of-life care hearings. They are Dr. Maeve O'Reilly, Ms Julie Ling, Ms Sinéad Moran, Ms Caroline Thomas and Ms Bríd Carroll. I thank those present in the Gallery at this early hour for their presence and interest in these hearings.

Today is a continuation of our end-of-life care hearings; this is session four and session five will commence at 12 p.m. This session will run from 10 a.m. to 11.45 a.m. and I thank everybody for their co-operation in the preparation of the meeting. Many people would have liked to be able to speak for longer but we must have time limits in order to facilitate discussion. I ask witnesses to confine their contributions to between five and six minutes. Before commencing I remind people that witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence 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 to the matters under discussion should 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 an 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 an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

Before commencing I note apologies from Deputy Caomhghín Ó Caoláin, who is absent this week, and Deputy Sandra McLellan, who is in the Chamber because of Question Time. Deputies Mary Mitchell O'Connor and Catherine Byrne and Senator Colm Burke have had to leave but will return later. We have had three excellent sessions so far and the committee has been privileged to hear testimony from so many expert witnesses who have given honest appraisals and a tremendous insight into the issue we are discussing. Dr. Maeve O'Reilly is the consultant on palliative medicine at St. Luke's Hospital and our Lady's Children's Hospital at Crumlin.