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

I thank all the witnesses and members for their patience and commitment to the second meeting this afternoon, on the issue of chronic pain management. I thank all our witnesses and Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor who, like me, recommended that this meeting be organised.
I welcome Mr. John Lindsay, chairperson Chronic Pain Ireland, CPI; Professor Laserina O'Connor, president, The Irish Pain Society, IPS; Dr. Josh Keaveny, dean, faculty of pain medicine, College of Anaesthetists of Ireland, CAI; Ms Cathy Sexton, president, Irish Pain Nurses and Midwives Society and Dr. Brona Fullen, lecturer, School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Population Science in the Health Science Centre at University College Dublin, UCD. I also welcome Ms Gina Plunkett and Mr. Niamh Molloy who are involved in CPI and the Irish Pain Nurses and Midwives Society, and Ms Orla Scott and Ms Kay Brennan, all of whom are in the public Gallery.
I apologise to our guests for the delay in starting the meeting. Parliamentary democracy occasionally involves votes and this afternoon we had a vote. I apologise for holding people up and I thank them for being here.
I wish to advise the witnesses that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the committee. However, if a witness is directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in regard to a particular matter and continues to do so, the witness is entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of his or her evidence. Witnesses 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 that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person, persons or 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 House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.
I call on Mr. John Lindsay to make his opening remarks. He has five minutes speaking time.