Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

That is a new name for me. I also welcome Professor Brendan Kelly, Professor Fiona McNicholas, and Dr. Blánaid Gavin. I welcome Dr. Brendan O'Shea and Dr. John O'Brien from the Irish College of General Practitioners as well as Mr. Paul Gilligan and Ms Orla Gogarty from St. Patrick's Mental Health Services. I welcome Dr. Brendan Doody and the representatives from the College of Psychiatrists in Ireland, Dr. John Hillery, president and Dr. Maeve Doyle. I also welcome Dr. Yvonne Begley, Dr. Eddie Murphy and Mr. Gareth Noble. They are all most welcome. We thank all the witnesses for engaging with the committee in its consideration of this most important and sensitive topic.

Before we begin, I must draw witnesses' attention to the following procedural matters. I advise them that by virtue of 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009 witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to this committee. However, if they are directed by the Chair to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. Witnesses 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 any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. Any opening statements that have been submitted to the committee will be published on its website after the meeting.

To commence proceedings, I invite Senator Joan Freeman to make a few introductory remarks. I will then invite each witness to make a short presentation to the committee. They may share their time with a colleague if they wish. Witnesses should indicate this to the Chair when they are invited to speak. As there is a large number of witnesses in this session I ask that presenters keep their opening statements as brief and to the point as possible. I suggest they limit their remarks to five minutes. When the presentations have finished there will be time for questions and comments from the Senators and responses from the witnesses.