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

We are in public session. We are meeting with PA Consulting, authors of the Health Service Capacity Review report for 2018. On behalf of the committee, I welcome Mr. Stephen Smyth, Mr. Tim Daly, Mr. Chris Nightingale and Mr. George MacGinnis of PA Consulting.

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, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

I advise witnesses 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.

The witnesses are welcome. I invite Mr. George MacGinnis to make his opening statement. I remind everyone present, including members of the committee, to switch off their phones or switch them to airplane mode since they cause havoc with the PA system.