Chairman:

I welcome, from the Irish Medical Organisation, Ms Vanessa Hetherington, assistant director, policy and international affairs, Dr. Matthew Sadlier, consultant psychiatrist, and Dr. Ray Walley, general practitioner. On behalf of the committee, I thank them for their attendance here today. They will be invited to make a brief opening statement which will be followed by a questions and answers session.

I draw witnesses' attention to the matter of privilege. Witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the committee. If they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to 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 asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person 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, members 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 remind members and witnesses to turn off their mobile phones. It is very important that they put their phones on airplane mode because it causes havoc with the system.

I advise that any submission or opening statements made to the committee will be published on the committee's website after this meeting. I invite the IMO to make its opening statement.