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

I welcome to our second session today the representatives from the HSE, led by the director general, Mr. Tony O'Brien, Ms Laverne McGuinness, deputy director general, Dr. Colm Henry, clinical adviser for HSE acute hospitals, Professor Richard Greene, director of the national perinatal epidemiology centre and professor of clinical obstetrics, Dr. Philip Crowley, national director for quality improvement for the HSE, Dr. Susan O'Reilly, CEO of the Dublin-Midlands hospitals group, Mr. Liam Woods and Ms Angela Fitzgerald. I thank Mr. Ray Mitchell for co-ordinating on this and thank the representatives for attending.

Our meeting today is a continuation of our examination of the HIQA report and its findings in regard to safety, quality and standards of services provided by the HSE to patients in the Midland Regional Hospital in Portlaoise. This morning, we met parents involved and it was one of the most emotional meetings I have had as Chair of this committee. Again, I wish to thank the parents who attended and presented to the committee this morning.

I welcome our witnesses this afternoon and draw their attention to the fact that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the committee. However, 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 a 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 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 parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I call the director general of the HSE, Mr. Tony O'Brien, to contribute.