Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome our witnesses from the Mental Health Commission and the HSE, who are in committee room 1. I advise them 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 this committee. If they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. Witnesses 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, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

I ask Mr. John Farrelly to introduce the delegation from the Mental Health Commission and make a short contribution outlining the key points of his submission to the committee. The submission has been circulated and will be published on the committee's website today.