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

Apologies have been received from Senators Imelda Henry, Jillian van Turnhout and Colm Burke. On my own behalf and behalf of members of the committee and the secretariat, I offer our sympathies to the van Turnhout family on the death of Jillian's father, Mr. Hassett. I know members will all agree with me sending our sympathies to her mother and her family. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

I remind those present about the use of mobile phones. They should be switched off or put in airplane mode as they interfere with the broadcasting of the proceedings. Our meeting is a very important one on the area of advocacy. As members know, we have been raising this issue at the committee for some time. I welcome our witnesses who will give us their insight on advocacy, which is not just about handling patients' complaints or providing information or advice but is about support to patients and users of the health service, their rights and entitlements and how to make their wishes known. Our meeting coincides with the announcement by the Minister on 12 November of the setting up of a national patient safety office, which includes a patient advocacy service. The purpose of this meeting is to hear from some of the most respected national stakeholders and their views on what the office will mean for the health service. Mr. Tony O'Brien hoped to attend at 9.30 a.m. but, unfortunately, he had commitments that he could not change and he will join us in a separate session at 11.30 a.m.

I welcome Mr. Mervyn Taylor of Support and Advocacy Service for Older People, Sage; Ms Louise Loughlin, regional manager of the National Advocacy Service for People with Disabilities; Ms Eileen Fitzgerald, senior manager, regional services of the Citizens Information Board; Mr. Peter Tyndall, Ombudsman and Information Commissioner; Mr. Paddy Connolly, CEO of Inclusion Ireland, who is accompanied by Mr. Cormac Cahill, communications and information officer; and Ms Angela Black, CEO of the Citizens Information Board. They are all very welcome and I thank them for being here.

By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they are to give this committee. However, if witnesses are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in relation to a particular matter and they continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. Witnesses are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any 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 ruling of the Chair to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or any official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I invite Mr. Taylor to make his opening remarks.