Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The purpose of this meeting is to engage with officials from the Department of Health and the Health Research Board, representatives from Age Action Ireland and the National Community Care Network and a health economist, Professor Eamon O'Shea, in respect of to the very important issues of rights, resources and regulation of home care. This meeting will be held over two sessions. For our first session, I welcome Ms Frances Spillane and Mr. Robert Deegan from the Department of Health and Dr. Jean Long from the Health Research Board. We will engage with Age Action Ireland, the National Community Care Network and Professor O'Shea in the second session.

I draw the attention of the 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 made to the committee may be published on its 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 Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I ask Ms Frances Spillane to make her opening statement.