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

I remind members, delegates and those in the Visitors Gallery that mobile phones should be switched off or left in flight mode for the duration of the meeting to avoid interference with the broadcasting of the proceedings.

The purpose of the meeting is to discuss ambulance response times. Concerns have been expressed about a number of instances involving the national ambulance service. HIQA was due to carry out a review of the ambulance service in the second quarter of the year. However, at a recent meeting with the Minister for Health, Deputy James Reilly, he confirmed that he had spoken to the chairman and CEO of HIQA and that they had agreed to fast-track the review in order that all relevant factors might be investigated. The joint committee took the decision to receive an update on the national ambulance service from a number of parties. In that regard, we will get the perspectives of presenters from the National Ambulance Service Representative Association, NASRA, SIPTU and the HSE. We will have three sessions, for the first of which I welcome the representatives of NASRA Mr. Michael Dixon, national chairman, and Mr. Tony Gregg, national secretary. I thank them for attending. There will be a 45 minute window and I will be strict on time because the room is needed for a later meeting.

By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of evidence they are to give to the committee. 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 with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any 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 parliamentary practice 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.