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

Apologies have been received Senator Imelda Henry and Deputy Eamonn Maloney. Deputy Fitzpatrick has to leave us. Deputy Billy Kelleher, who is participating in Leaders' Questions, sends his apologies. Deputy Regina Doherty may be here later. Have there been any other apologies? No.
I remind members, witnesses and people in the Visitors Gallery to ensure their mobile telephones are switched off for the duration of the meeting as they interfere with the broadcasting of the proceedings and with staff.
I welcome everybody to the meeting today. I welcome to the discussion on the topic of HIV in Ireland: Advances in testing opportunities and enhancing engagement with health services, Mr. Tiernan Brady, director, gay HIV strategies, Gay and Lesbian Equality Network, GLEN, Ms Deirdre Seery, CEO, Cork Sexual Health Centre, Mr. Peter Foley, letsgetchecked.comand Mr. Jimmy Goulding, Positive Now. They all are welcome. I thank them for being here this morning and to some of them, I say, "Welcome back". It is an important issue. I welcome viewers who are watching on the Oireachtas channel.
Witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the committee. However, if witnesses are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. Witnesses are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and they are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I remind members of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against any person outside the House or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.
As members will be aware, Monday next, 1 December is World AIDS Day. The purpose of the meeting is to hold a piece of work around the issue of advances in HIV testing and of enhancing engagement with the health services on sexual health issues. With that, I thank all of our people for being here this morning and I ask Ms Deirdre Seery to being.