Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We will continue our discussion on tackling obesity and the promotion of healthy eating in schools. I remind members and witnesses to turn off their mobile phones because they interfere with the sound systems impacting on broadcasting and the parliamentary reporters who are covering this meeting.

On behalf of the committee, I welcome the witnesses and thank them for their patience in bearing with us. I have no doubt they were very interested in listening to the previous witnesses. I welcome from the Irish Heart Foundation Mr. Chris Macey, head of advocacy, Ms Janis Morrissey, health promotion manager, and Ms Kathryn Reilly, policy manager; from safefood, Ms Fiona Gilligan, director of marketing and communications, and Dr. Cliodhna Foley-Nolan, director of human health and nutrition; and from the Department of Health, Ms Kate O'Flaherty, head of health and well-being unit, and Mr. Liam McCormack, assistant principal with responsibility for obesity policy.

By virtue of section 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 me, as Chairman, to cease giving evidence in relation to 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 persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. The opening statements witnesses have provided to the committee will be published on the committee's website after the meeting.

I ask the witnesses to limit their opening submissions to five minutes, which they can split among themselves after which members will ask questions. I call Mr. Macey from the Irish Heart Foundation.