Michael Harty (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The purpose of this meeting is to allow the Minister and his officials and the director general of the HSE and his staff to update this committee on key health care issues. On behalf of the committee, I welcome the Minister for Health, Deputy Simon Harris. He is accompanied by the Minister of State with special responsibility for older people, Deputy Jim Daly, who I congratulate on his appointment, by the Minister of State with special responsibility for disability issues, Deputy Finian McGrath, and by the Minister of State with special responsibility for health promotion and the national drugs strategy, Deputy Catherine Byrne. I also welcome Mr. Jim Breslin, Secretary General of the Department of Health, and Mr. Tony O'Brien, Director General of the HSE. Mr. O'Brien is accompanied by Ms Anne O'Connor, Mr. Pat Healy, Mr. Liam Woods and Ms Rosarii Mannion. They are all welcome to our quarterly meeting.

I wish to draw witnesses attention to the fact that, by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to this committee. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in relation to a particular matter and they 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 are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I also wish to advise them that any submission or opening statements they have made to the committee may be published on the committee's website after this meeting.

Members are reminded of the longstanding 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 the Minister, Deputy Harris, to make his opening statement.