Mr. Tony O'Brien:

I wish to clarify that Mr. Mitchell and Mr. Purcell are not witnesses. They are here to assist with the documentation. For the remainder of the meeting, colleagues from the HSE and the Department may not be present in the room. They may be elsewhere in the building but will be available when the committee requires them.

Like the committee members, I have to be mindful of the existence of the commission of inquiry as well. Indeed, I have been mindful in preparing my answers for the committee.

I wrote to the committee in letters dated 23 May 2017 and 14 June 2017. Answers to specific questions raised by members of the committee via the secretariat have been responded to. I am happy to take verbal questions in respect of matters that have been discussed in that correspondence, but I do not propose to make a formal statement. I will hold that until we get to the second part of the meeting.