Michael Harty (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The purpose of today's meeting is for the Minister for Health, Deputy Simon Harris, to update the committee on developments in regard to the drug pricing agreement, the emergency department task force and the winter initiative waiting lists. We also request that the Minister engage with us in regard to the mid-year review of the Department Estimates for 2016 and to consider proposals for expenditure in 2017 - Vote 38.

Members are aware of the ongoing efforts by the Oireachtas to improve the engagement of Departments and public bodies with committees in terms of how Vote expenditure is dealt with. The purpose of that part of today's meeting with the Minister is to discuss improvements that may be desirable in the performance information included in that Estimate, a major review of the position as regards outputs and expenditure for the 2016 Estimate for the Department of Education and Skills and a brief on the emerging position on permitting the committee to participate in the 2017 Estimates discussions in advance of the allocation being finalised.

On behalf of the committee, I welcome the Minister for Health, Deputy Simon Harris, who is accompanied by Fergal Goodman, Tracey Conroy, Greg Dempsey and Fiona Prendergast, senior officials from his Department. I draw their attention to the fact that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses 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 relation to a particular matter and they continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to a 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 that effect where possible. They should not criticise or make charges against any person or persons or entities by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I also wish to advise them that any submission or opening statements which they have 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 any person outside the Houses or any official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

Before engaging with the Minister, I wish to declare the following interests for the record. I hold a contract with the HSE to deliver general medical services to medical card patients. I am a registered general practitioner with the Medical Council and I am an ordinary member of my representative organisations, namely, the Irish College of General Practitioners, the Irish Medical Organisation and the National Association of General Practitioners.

I invite the Minister to make his opening statement.