Chairman:

I thank the representatives of the charities regulator for coming before the committee. The purpose of this afternoon's meeting - it was to be tomorrow morning - is to engage with the Charities Regulatory Authority on the bodies funded by the HSE under section 39 of the Health Act 2004 falling under the charities regulator framework. On behalf of the committee, I welcome Mr. John Farrelly, chief executive officer of the Charities Regulatory Authority, who is accompanied by his colleagues, Mr. Rory Geraghty and Ms Ciara Cahill.

By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the committee. However, if they are directed by it 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 are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person or an entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. Any submission or opening statement submitted to the committee may be published on the committee website after the meeting.

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 Houses or an official, either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I ask Mr. Farrelly to make his opening statement.