Chairman:

I welcome Ms Anne O'Connor, who is the national director of mental health services; Dr. Philip Dodd, who is the national clinical adviser and group lead; Mr. Jim Ryan, who is the head of operations and service improvement, Ms Yvonne O'Neill, who is the head of planning, performance and programme management; and Mr. Liam Hennessy, who is the HSE's head of mental health engagement. On behalf of the committee, I thank them for their attendance today. The format of the meeting is that the witnesses will be invited to make a brief opening statement, to be followed by a question and answer session.

Before we begin, I draw the attention of witnesses to the position in relation to privilege. I ask the witnesses to note that they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they give to the committee. However, if they are directed by the committee 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. 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. Members should be aware that under the salient rulings of the Chair, they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I remind members and witnesses to turn off their mobile phones or switch them to flight mode. Mobile phones interfere with the sound system, which makes it difficult for the parliamentary reporters to report the meeting and has an adverse effect on television coverage and webstreaming. I advise the witnesses that any submission or opening statement they make to the committee will be published on the committee's website after this meeting. I now invite Ms O'Connor to make her opening statement.