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

I welcome from the Health Service Executive, HSE, Mr. Liam Woods, national director, acute hospitals division, Ms Angela Fitzgerald, deputy national director, acute hospitals division, Mr. Patrick Lynch, national director, quality assurance and verification; from the Dublin Midlands Hospitals Group, Dr. Susan O'Reilly, chief executive; from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, RCSI, Hospitals Group, Dr. Alan Finan, consultant paediatrician, Cavan General Hospital, and clinical director for women and children services. I thank Mr. Ray Mitchell, HSE parliamentary affairs, for his ongoing assistance with the committee.

I draw the attention of witnesses 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 they 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 invite Mr. Liam Woods to make his opening statement.