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

I remind everybody in the room to ensure that their mobile phones are either turned off or on airplane mode as they interfere with the recording system. I welcome everyone watching these proceedings that are being relayed live and I welcome the people who are seated in the public Gallery.

I welcome the representatives of the Private Hospitals Association to the meeting. The association represents 19 private hospitals that provide acute and mental health care services. I welcome Mr. Simon Nugent, CEO, Private Hospitals Association, and Mr. Brian Fitzgerald, Deputy CEO of the Beacon Hospital. I thank both of them for attending this morning. We look forward to hearing the presentation. I invite Mr. Nugent to make his opening statement.