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

I remind everybody in the room to ensure their mobile phones are either turned off or on aeroplane mode so there is no interference with the recording and broadcasting system. I welcome our witness and those watching our proceedings, as well as committee members. In this morning's session we will receive evidence from Dr. Brian Turner, with a focus on the goal of a universal, single-tier health system. I warmly welcome Dr. Turner from the department of economics at Cork University Business School at University College, Cork. I thank him for attending the meeting at short notice and facilitating the committee. Dr. Turner lectures in health economics and health insurance issues and previously worked in the Health Insurance Authority. His research has been published nationally and internationally. His submission to the Committee on the Future of Healthcare has already been circulated to members and I thank him for it.

I will begin with some formalities and by advising our witness on the matter of privilege. 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. 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 and they are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against a person or persons or an 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 House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I invite Dr. Turner to make an opening statement.