Michael Harty (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the joint committee, I thank Ms Deirdre Walsh and Mr. Aidan Tumbleton from the professional regulation unit of the national human resource division of the Department of Health for coming to talk to us. In this session we will discuss the following draft regulations referred to the committee by an order passed by the Dáil on 20 February and the Seanad on 27 February: the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 (Section 4(2)) (Designation of professions: counsellors and psychotherapists and establishment of registration board) Regulations 2017 and the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 (Section 4(7)) (Membership of Council) Regulations 2017.

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 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 an entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. I also advise that 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 invite Ms Walsh to make her opening statement.