Ciara Conway (Waterford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I remind members, witnesses and those in the public Gallery to ensure their mobile telephones are switched off for the duration of the meeting as they interfere with the broadcasting equipment, even when on silent mode.

Before commencing I remind witnesses of the position of privilege. Witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the committee. 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 or 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 parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against either a person outside the House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

During this session we will discuss hospital emergency department services. I welcome the Minister for Health, Deputy Varadkar. From the HSE I welcome Mr. Tony O'Brien, director general; Mr. Pat Healy the national director of social care; Ms Angela Fitzgerald, deputy director of the acute hospital division; and from the Department of Health I welcome Mr. Charlie Hardy, principal officer and Mr. Jim Breslin, Secretary General. The Minister and the director general of the HSE were asked to attend this meeting to discuss one issue, which is overcrowding in the country's emergency departments. Committee members have requested an update on the current situation and the action which has been taken to address the ongoing issues facing patients on trolleys in our accident and emergency departments. I invite the Minister, Deputy Varadkar, to make his opening statement.