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

I remind Members, witnesses and those in the Visitors Gallery to ensure their mobile telephones are switched off or on airplane mode as they interfere with the broadcasting of equipment and they are unfair to members of staff. We have apologies this morning from Deputies Robert Dowds, Regina Doherty, Eamonn Maloney and Ciara Conway.

This is our third in a series of meetings of the joint committee that has been convened to discuss the issue of concussion and concussion in sport. I welcome Dr. Sean Moffatt, technical adviser on medical matters to Cumann Lúthchleas Gael, Mr. Ger Ryan, chairman of the Medical, Scientific and Welfare Committee to the GAA, Dr. Rod McLoughlin, Head of Medical Services at the Irish Rugby Football Union, IRFU, Mr. Omar Hassanien, chief executive of the Irish Rugby Union Players' Association, IRUPA, Dr. Joe McKeever, medical adviser to the Irish Amateur Boxing Association and Dr. Mary Flannery, honorary medical officer of Horse Sport Ireland.

I thank all the delegates for being here this morning. I apologise for delaying them up at the beginning. It was necessary to do a small bit of private business. As Members will be aware following last week's meeting, there was considerable interest from the media and public and there were many inquiries from members of the public to the office of the committee. I thank people for taking time to contact us since last week's meeting. For those who watched the proceedings or read the transcripts of last week, it was a very thought-provoking and interesting meeting. Many different issues concerning the issue of physical activity, in particular regarding sport, were highlighted. I will single out Michael Dara Macauley for the ambassadorial role he played which has resonated with people across the county and I thank him for that.

Before we commence, to remind people on privilege, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they are to give to the committee. However, if the witness is directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in relation to a particular matter and the witness continues to do so the witness is entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of evidence and the 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 comment on, criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name in such a way as to make him or her identifiable and Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice or ruling of the Chair to the effect that Members should not comment on, criticise or make charges against any person outside the House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

As this is the first of two parts of today's meeting, I remind Members in particular that we need to have finished the proceedings by 11.20 a.m. because we have to allow time for turning around the room and the equipment. I also remind people that these proceedings are being broadcast live on Oireachtas TV which is available on Sky, UPC and on the Internet.

I call on Mr. Ryan to make his opening remarks.