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

I welcome everyone to the meeting and remind attendees that mobile phones must be switched to silent or airplane mode as they interfere with the broadcast of proceedings and the work of members of staff. Apologies have been received today from Senator Jillian van Turnhout and Deputies Regina Doherty and Mary Mitchell O'Connor.

This is the first of two parts to today's meeting - it will address the issue of coping with stillbirth loss and, as today is pregnancy and infant loss remembrance day, it is fitting that we focus on this. I welcome to the meeting representatives from Féileacáin, the Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Association of Ireland. Ms Jacinta Murphy is chairperson, Ms Mairie Cregan is training and research officer and Mr. Brian Roche is a founding member. I thank them for being here. The committee also invited to this meeting Ms Ron Smith-Murphy, chairperson of the A Little Lifetime Foundation, an organisation that offers support and information for families facing or coping with the tragedy of stillbirth. Unfortunately she was not able to accept the invitation due to serious illness so I wish her a speedy recovery on behalf of everyone here.

I advise the witnesses that they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to this committee. If they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. Only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and witnesses are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect 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 or her identifiable.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that members should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. As this the first of two sessions of a meeting, I propose that this meeting will conclude at 11.15 a.m. to allow for changeover of equipment and staff. Is that agreed? Agreed.

I thank Deputy Sandra McLellan for raising the matter with us, for putting it on our work programme and for her assistance in the organisation of today's meeting. I welcome our witnesses and thank them for attending. We look forward to a very interesting presentation. I hope that they will also find this session helpful and informative.