John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We are dealing with payments made by the Health Service Executive to the Rehab Group under section 39 of the Health Act 2004, the operation of the charitable lotteries scheme and payments made to the Rehab Group from the Vote of the Department of Justice and Equality and payments made by SOLAS to the Rehab Group for the provision of specialist vocational training.

Before we begin, I remind members, witnesses and those in the Public Gallery to turn off their mobile telephones as the interference from them affects the sound quality and transmission of the meeting. I also ask members to keep their mobile telephones away from the desks and microphones.

I advise witnesses that they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they are to give this committee. If they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in respect of a particular matter and they continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to a 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 criticise nor make charges against a Member of either House, a person outside the House or an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. Members are reminded of the provision within Standing Order 163 that the committee should also refrain from inquiring into the merits of a policy or policies of the Government or Minister of the Government or the merits of the objectives of such policies.

I welcome Mr. Brian Purcell, Secretary General of the Department of Justice and Equality, and ask him to introduce his officials.