Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I apologise to the witnesses that we are a little bit later starting than anticipated. The Expert Panel on Nursing Homes was established by the previous Minister for Health. I welcome from committee room 2 Professor Cecily Kelleher, chair, Professor Cillian Twomey, member, and Ms Brigid Doherty, member of the Covid–19 Expert Panel on Nursing Homes.

I wish to advise the witnesses that by 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 they must respect that direction. They are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and 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 invite Professor Kelleher to make her opening statement. It has been circulated, in advance, to members so I ask her to confine her statement to five minutes.