Michael Harty (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

We will now go into public session. Is that agreed? Agreed.We are holding two sessions this morning. In the first session we will hear from representatives from the Irish Farmers Association and officials from the Department of Health as part of the pre-legislative scrutiny of the general scheme of the nursing homes support scheme (amendment) Bill 2019. It is proposing amending legislation intended to change the treatment of family farms and businesses under the nursing home support scheme, also known as the fair deal scheme.

I welcome from the Department of Health, Mr. Niall Redmond, principal officer, Mr. Karl Duff, assistant principal and Ms Helen Simon, administrative officer. From the Irish Farmers Association, I welcome the president, Mr. Joe Healy, Ms Caroline Farrell, chair of the farm family and social affairs committee, Mr. Martin Stapleton, chair of the farm business committee and Ms Geraldine O'Sullivan, farm family and social affairs committee executive.

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. 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 or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. I also wish to advise that any opening statements made to this 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 Mr. Redmond to make his opening statement.