Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Thursday, 17 December 2015

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children

Task Force on Overcrowding in Accident and Emergency Departments: Discussion

11:15 am

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

I apologise to our witnesses for the delay in starting this part of the meeting. We had an interesting and productive discussion in the last part.

I welcome Mr. Tony O'Brien, director general of the HSE, and Mr. Liam Woods, Mr. Pat Healy, Mr. John Hennessy, Ms Mary Day, Ms Angela Fitzgerald, Dr. David Hanlon and Ms Avilene Casey. I also welcome Mr. Ray Mitchell and Mr. Paul Connors. I thank them all for being here this afternoon.

This meeting was requested by Deputy Fitzpatrick to discuss the HSE's task force on overcrowding in accident and emergency departments. I draw the attention of witnesses to the fact 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 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 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 thank Mr. O'Brien for his flexibility in agreeing to a change in the meeting time today. It is appreciated. I now ask him to make his opening remarks. His PowerPoint presentation will be on the screen.

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