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

We will resume. I thank Deputy Ó Caoláin and Senator Burke. I welcome Dr. Chris Fitzpatrick, consultant at the Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital and its former master, to our second meeting this morning. We are looking forward to hearing from him. We have already had two interesting meetings on the future national maternity strategy.

I remind Dr. Fitzpatrick that, by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, he is protected by absolute privilege in respect of his evidence to the committee. However, if he is directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and he continues to do so, he is entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of his evidence. He is directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and is asked to respect the parliamentary practice that, where possible, he should not comment on, criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. Members are reminded of the ruling of the Chair to the effect that they should not comment, criticise or make charges against any person outside the Houses or an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I apologise to everyone for my raspy throat. I have a touch of something.