Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Thursday, 11 June 2015

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children

St. James's Hospital, Dublin: Chairman Designate

9:30 am

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

We resume in public session for our last meeting of the day on the appointment of the chairman designate of St. James's Hospital in Dublin, Mr. Paul Donnelly. As with the last meeting, Deputy Billy Kelleher sends his apologies as he is in the Dáil for Leaders' Questions. I welcome Mr. Donnelly to the meeting and thank him for being here. The committee and I apologise to him for our lateness in starting the session as a result of private business going on longer than anticipated.

I advise the witness 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 this committee. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in relation to 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 or entity by name or in such a way as to make him or her 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 House or an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I ask Mr. Donnelly to make his opening remarks.

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