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

I remind those present to ensure mobile phones are switched off or on silent or aeroplane mode. Our second session this afternoon is the meeting with the chairperson designate of Leopardstown Park Hospital, Mr. Eugene Magee. As part of its scrutiny role, the committee meets key appointments in the areas of health and children before they are appointed.

I welcome Mr. Eugene Magee to the meeting this afternoon to discuss his proposed reappointment as chairperson of the Leopardstown Park Hospital. This is an important appointment as Leopardstown Park Hospital celebrates its centenary in 2017. In common with a number of nursing home facilities, it faces a number of developmental changes. It is working to comply with HIQA standards, particularly for residents' privacy, and the hospital has made a submission to the HSE for funding to address these issues.

Before we begin, I wish to advise Mr. Magee 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 this committee. If he is directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in respect of a particular matter and he continues to so do, he is entitled thereafter only to 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. He is asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, he 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 Mr. Magee to make his opening remarks.