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

I remind members and witnesses their mobile telephones should be switched off. The joint committee's first meeting is with the Dental Council to discuss issues regarding dental regulation in Ireland. I welcome to the meeting from the Dental Council Dr. Eamon Croke, president, Dr. Barney Murphy, vice president, Mr. David O'Flynn, registrar, Professor June Nunn, chair of the auxiliary dental workers committee, Dr. Terry Farrelly, chair of the fitness to practice committee and Dr. Marielle Blake, chair of the education and training committee. They all are welcome and I thank them for their attendance. I also thank Dr. Croke for changing his diary around; he should not worry as we will have him out by 11 a.m. or 11.15 a.m.

In the past, the joint committee has raised a number of issues of concern with regard to dental regulation in Ireland and this meeting is an important opportunity for members of the joint committee to engage with the Dental Council and to identify areas in which further regulation may be needed or where actions may need to be or already have been taken. I again thank the witnesses for their attendance. In respect of witness privilege, I advise witnesses that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, they 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 respect of 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 call on Dr. Croke to make his opening remarks.