Michael Harty (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

There is nothing to be inferred from the seating arrangements. Those who are at the bottom and those who are at the top have represent a purely random selection.

We are meeting this morning with representatives of the Medical Council, the HSE, the Irish Hospital Consultants Association and the Irish Medical Organisation, IMO, in order to discuss recent media reports that suggest that some 650 medical consultants are not registered in the specialist division of the medical register. On behalf of the committee I would like to welcome Ms Rosarii Mannion and Professor Frank Murray on behalf of the HSE; Mr. Bill Prasifika and Dr. Anthony Breslin on behalf of the Medical Council; Dr. Tom Ryan and Mr. Martin Varley on behalf of the Irish Hospital Consultants Association, and Dr. Peadar Gilligan and Mr. Anthony Owens on behalf of the IMO.

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.

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 House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I also wish to advise that any opening statements made to the committee may be published on the committee's website after this meeting.