Michael Harty (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

In this third session, we are meeting officials from the Department of Health and representatives from the faculty of radiologists at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, RCSI, to discuss their views of the impact on chiropractors of the transposition of Council Directive 2013/59/EURATOM laying down basic standards for protection from the dangers arising from exposure to ionised radiation. On behalf of the committee, I welcome Dr. Tony Holohan, chief medical officer, Ms. Audrey Hagerty, principal officer, environmental health unit, and Ms. Siobhan McEvoy, chief environmental health officer, from Department of Health, and Dr. Paddy Gilligan, Dr. Niall Sheehy and Dr. John Feeney from the faculty of radiologists at the RCSI.

I draw the attention of 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. I also advise them that any opening statements they have made to the committee may be published on the committee's website after this 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 or persons outside the House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I invite Dr. Holohan to make his opening statement. We did not receive the opening statement until this morning. Perhaps Dr. Holohan might keep that in mind for future occasions.