Joan Freeman (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome to the meeting from the Health Service Executive, HSE, Mr. Dean Sullivan, deputy director general, strategy; Ms Anne O'Connor, chief operations officer; Mr. Pat Healy, national director of community strategy and planning; and Mr. Jim Ryan, head of operations, mental health. On behalf of the committee, I thank the witnesses for their attendance today. The format of the meeting is that they will be invited to make a brief opening statement, which will be followed by a question-and-answer 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 are 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.

Members should be aware that under the salient rulings of the Chair, they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I remind members and witnesses to switch their mobile phones to aeroplane mode as they interfere with the sound system. I also wish to advise the witnesses that any submission or opening statement they have made to the committee will be published on the committee website after this meeting. I invite Mr. Dean Sullivan to make his opening statement.