Michael Harty (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The purpose of this morning's session is to meet officials from the Department of Health and representatives of the Health Information and Quality Authority, HIQA, as part of our pre-legislative scrutiny of the patient safety (licensing) Bill. On behalf of the committee, I welcome Dr. Tony Holohan, Dr. Kathleen MacLellan and Mr. David Keating from the Department of Health and Mr. Phelim Quinn, Ms Mary Dunnion and Dr. Máirín Ryan from HIQA. I apologise for keeping them outside for so long. We had a prolonged private session.

I wish to draw the witnesses' attention to the fact that virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to this 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 or her identifiable. 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 outside the Houses 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.