Michael Harty (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The purpose of the meeting this morning is to engage with the Minister for Health, Deputy Simon Harris, to follow up on scrutiny of the Revised Estimate for 2017, which took place at the select committee on 2 March 2017 and prior to the budget of 2018, and to consider any Supplementary Estimates the Government may intend to propose. This engagement occurs in the context of the publication by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform of the 2017 mid-year expenditure report. On behalf of the committee, I welcome the Minister, Deputy Harris, and his officials, Mr. Greg Dempsey, Ms Fiona Prendergast and Mr. Martin Woods.

I draw the attention of witnesses to the fact that 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 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 any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. Any opening statement or submission provided to the committee may be published on the committee's 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 House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. Does the Minister wish to make an opening statement?