Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

Good morning everyone. I wish to remind everyone in the room to turn off their mobile phones or switch them to airplane mode as they interfere with the sound recording equipment. I welcome everyone, particularly viewers who are watching the live streaming of our meeting this morning.

In establishing this committee, the Dáil was giving recognition to the fact that there are considerable shortcomings in our health service. A big element of that is the two-tier nature of the service and the expense involved in getting access to services, whether one is a public patient or paying for services through private health insurance. There is a genuine shared hope among committee members that we can do something worthwhile and can take the key strategic decisions which will enable us to move from the current somewhat dysfunctional two-tier health service with all of its problems to having a modern, accessible, single-tier health service.

In our first session today we will meet Dr. Sara Burke, research fellow at the centre for health policy and management, Trinity College Dublin. Dr. Burke will make a presentation on inequality in access to health care. I wish to take this opportunity to acknowledge the input to our earlier planning sessions of Dr. Burke's colleagues from the aforementioned centre, Dr. Steve Thomas and Dr. Catherine Darker. In our second session we will meet representatives from the Seanad Civil Engagement group, who will make a presentation on the importance of a citizen-centred approach to health care.

I wish to advise the witnesses 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 this committee. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to 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 are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise nor 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 ruling of the Chair 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 now invite Dr. Burke to make her presentation.