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

I welcome from the Health Service Executive Ms Laverne McGuinness, deputy director general; Ms Paula Lawler, deputy national director of human resources; and Mr. Ray Mitchell, assistant national director of the parliamentary and regulatory affairs division; and from the National Ambulance Service Mr. Martin Dunne, director, and Dr. Cathal O’Donnell, medical director. The purpose of this session is to consider the report on the HIQA review of the national ambulance service and provide members with an opportunity to engage with the Health Service Executive and the national ambulance service on the findings of the report. We must conclude this part of the meeting by 7 p.m. when the second session will commence.

Witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of evidence they give to the joint committee. However, if they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to do so, 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 and asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person or an entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I invite Ms McGuinness to make her opening statement.