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

It seems to me, based on the tone of the letter we received and on the conversation I had with Mr. Jermyn, that the hospital was not trying to obfuscate by not appearing before the committee. It would have been better if the hospital had been represented here to answer the questions raised by members. Is it agreed that we will write formally to the hospital following today's meeting on the basis of members' comments, questions and proposals? Agreed. Is it agreed to go into private session at the end of the meeting if necessary? Agreed.

I welcome Mr. Michael Cullen, who is the chief executive of Beacon Hospital. As we know, this meeting has been arranged not only to deal with the issues arising from last week's "Prime Time" programme, but also to consider procurement practices. The Minister for Health has referred to separate allegations in relation to procurement practices in a number of hospital settings. The Committee of Public Accounts has highlighted the issue of non-compliance with procurement rules by the HSE. This committee has significant concerns about the implementation of procurement policy across the health service. Today's meeting gives the committee an opportunity to get an update from the HSE. Since the creation of the hospital groups, there have been issues around how they are being managed.

I thank all the witnesses for being here. I thank Mr. Cullen for accepting our invitation to discuss this matter. Before I ask him to make his opening statement, I remind witnesses 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. 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 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 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 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 and ruling of the Chair that they should not comment on or make charges against a person outside the Houses or any official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I ask Mr. Cullen to make his opening remarks.