Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome from the Department of Health Ms Bairbre Nic Aongusa, assistant secretary; Mr. Paul Barron, assistant secretary; Ms Audrey Hagerty, principal officer; Mr. Charlie Hardy, principal officer; Mr. Tom Monks, assistant principal officer; Ms Louise Kenny, assistant principal officer; Mr. Keith Comiskey, assistant principal officer; and Ms Helen O'Brien, higher executive officer. I look forward to our discourse on the development of North-South co-operation in the health care sector, which affects many people and how the EU director on patient mobility will impact on how patients access services in the future.

I advise witnesses that they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of utterances at this committee. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease making remarks on a particular matter and continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of their remarks. Witnesses are directed that only comments and evidence in respect of the subject matter of this meeting are to be given and are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that where possible, they should not criticise nor make charges against a Member of either House of the Oireachtas, a person outside the Houses or an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

The committee would like to explore new opportunities and would like the meeting to be as engaging as possible. We are not here to scrutinise ongoing work. We are interested in what opportunities exist in proper North-South health care provision, which are practical, pragmatic and sensible and which follow common-sense protocols. I call Ms Nic Aongusa to make her presentation.