James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We are now in public session. I welcome Mr. Martin Rogan, CEO and Ms Aisling Doherty, mental health promotion officer from Mental Health Ireland. From SpunOut.ie, I welcome Mr. Ian Power, executive director and Mr. Jack Deacon, deputy director. From Jigsaw, I welcome Dr. Joseph Duffy, CEO and Dr. Gillian O'Brien, director of clinical governance. On behalf of the committee I thank you for your attendance here today.

The format of the meeting is that you will be invited to make a brief opening statement and this will be followed by a question and answers session.

Before we begin I draw the attention of witnesses to the situation on privilege. Witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they give to the committee. However, if witnesses are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and 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 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 remind members and witnesses to turn off their mobile phones or switch them to flight mode. Mobile phones interfere with the sound system and make it difficult for the parliamentary reporters to report the meeting and television coverage and web streaming will be adversely affected. I also wish to advise the witnesses that any submission or opening statement they have to make to the committee will be published on the committee website after this meeting.

I invite the witnesses to make their opening statements. I call Mr. Rogan to make his opening statement on behalf of Mental Health Ireland.