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

This second session is a discussion of the benefits of deep brain stimulation treatment. I welcome our witnesses and guests. I ask witnesses and those in the Visitors Gallery to ensure that mobile phones have been switched off as, even when in silent mode, they interfere with the broadcasting of the proceedings.
I welcome all our witnesses who have travelled to be here. I acknowledge and thank Deputy Ó Caoláin for his contribution and assistance in helping to arrange this session and for his proposal for the work programme. Dr. Tony O'Connell and Ms Angela Fitzgerald from the HSE were invited to attend the committee, but due to an unavoidable calendar clash with another meeting in this building, they have had to forgo attending this meeting. They have agreed to attend another meeting on either 27 November or 4 December to discuss this issue. They send their apologies to members.
I welcome Mr. Gavin Quigley, consultant neurosurgeon, Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast; Ms Nicola Moore, country director, Northern Ireland, for Parkinson's UK; Dr. Richard Walsh, consultant neurologist and clinical senior lecturer, Tallaght hospital; Mr. Pat O'Rourke, chairman, Parkinson's Association of Ireland; Ms Breda Tufts, a recipient of deep brain stimulation treatment. The committee appreciates that the witnesses have taken the time to attend this meeting.
I advise the witnesses that, by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, 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. They are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given. They 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, 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 Houses or an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.