David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We are back in public session. I welcome officials from the Department of Health and the representatives from the HSE to continue our consideration of the Covid-19 expert panel's report on nursing homes. From the Department of Health we have Dr. Kathleen MacLellan, assistant secretary, who is presenting from committee room 2. Dr. MacLellan is very welcome. By video link we have Mr. Niall Redmond, who is a principal officer in the Department. From the HSE, and also in committee room 2, we have: Mr. David Walsh, who is the implementation lead; Dr. Siobhán Kennelly, who is the national clinical and advisory group lead for older persons; and Ms Sandra Tuohy, assistant national director of services for older people. I welcome the witnesses.

Before we commence the formal proceedings 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 nor 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 Dr. MacLellan to make her opening statement. If Mr. Walsh has an opening statement or wants to make opening remarks, he will have an opportunity to speak after Dr. MacLellan. I ask that opening statements be kept to five minutes because we are operating to a strict two-hour sitting today.