Michael Harty (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

This is session two of our meeting this afternoon. We are meeting representatives of the Health Service Executive, HSE, in regard to overcrowding in emergency departments. On behalf of the committee, I welcome from the HSE Mr. Liam Woods, national director of the acute hospitals division, Mr. Damien McCallion, HSE national director of the National Ambulance Service and emergency management, who is responsible for co-ordinating the HSE's winter plan, Dr. Colm Henry, clinical adviser of the acute hospital division, and Ms Angela Fitzgerald, deputy national director of acute hospitals.

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. However, if they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to 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 asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person or an entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. I advise that any submission or opening statement made to the committee may be published on its 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 a person outside the Houses or an official, either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I ask Mr. Liam Woods to make his opening statement.