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

I remind people to ensure their mobile phones are off so they do not interfere with the sound system. I welcome everybody, including those watching, our witnesses before us, those in the Visitors Gallery and committee members. This morning we are meeting representatives of each of the seven hospital groups to discuss their contribution to reform of the health service.

In particular we are interested in discussing the role of hospital groups in developing a more integrated and effective health and social care system and identifying the barriers to achieving this.

Our meeting will be divided into two sessions. We will meet representative of the RCSI Hospital Group, the Saolta University Health Care Group and the UL Hospital Group.

I welcome the following officials to the meeting: Mr. Ian Carter, chief executive officer and Professor Patrick Broe, group clinical director of the RCSI Hospital Group; Mr. Maurice Power, chief executive officer and Dr. Pat Nash, group chief clinical director of the Saolta University Health Care Group and Ms Colette Cowan, chief executive officer and Dr. Paul Burke, chief clinical director of the UL Hospitals Group. I thank Mr. Liam Woods, national director of the acute hospital division of the HSE for attending to give a national perspective. Mr. Woods will not be presenting but will be in a position to deal with issues that arise that members need to raise with him. I thank Mr. Ray Mitchell of the HSE parliamentary affairs division, who is seated at the back and thank him for his assistance in setting up this session this morning.

We have received already briefing papers and submissions from each of the hospital groups and I thank the witness for their submissions. Time is short this morning because all seven hospital groups will appear before the committee so I ask people to keep their contributions as short as possible so that we can ensure there is enough time for a question and answer session.

I wish to advise the witnesses 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. 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 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. They are 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. I remind members of the long-standing ruling of the Chair to the effect that members should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I invite Mr. Ian Carter to make his opening statement.