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

I remind people to switch off their mobile telephones or set them to aeroplane mode. I welcome members and witnesses to this meeting this afternoon. I welcome Ms Magdalen Rogers, development manager of the Neurological Alliance of Ireland, Professor Orla Hardiman, professor of neurology and head of the academic unit of neurology, Trinity College, who also is a consultant neurologist at Beaumont Hospital, Dr. Colin Doherty, consultant neurologist at St. James's Hospital and Mr. Jim Lawless, who is attending as an advocate. They are all welcome and I thank them for their attendance.

The purpose of this evening's meeting is to discuss neurological health policy and I remind members and witnesses not to stray from the subject matter, which I repeat, is neurological health policy. Before we commence, I will remind witnesses concerning privilege. Witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they give to the committee. However, if they are directed by the committee 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 are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not comment on, 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. I remind members of the long-standing ruling of the Chair and parliamentary practice 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.

I invite Ms Rogers to make her opening statement.