Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

This morning we have our first public engagement with witnesses from the Department of Health and the Health Service Executive. I would like to warmly welcome our witnesses. I look forward to working productively with both bodies in the months ahead.

The focus of today's meeting is the Comptroller and Auditor General's special report No. 110 on the nursing homes support scheme, also known as the fair deal scheme. The scheme has now been in operation for ten years. On foot of the Comptroller and Auditor General's report this is an appropriate time for the committee to examine it. To assist us in our examination of the report we are joined by witnesses remotely and in person, in compliance with public health guidelines.

From the Department of Health, we are joined in person by Mr. Colm O'Reardon, acting Secretary General, and Ms Kathleen MacLellan, assistant secretary at the social care division. We are joined remotely by Mr. Niall Redmond, principal officer at the social care division, and in support, Ms Pamela Carter, principal officer at the parliamentary division.

From the Health Service Executive we are joined in person by Mr. Paul Reid, CEO, and Ms Anne O'Connor, chief operations officer. We are joined remotely by Mr. Stephen Mulvany, chief financial officer, Mr. Ultan Hynes, head of service for the nursing homes support scheme, and in support, Mr. Ray Mitchell, of parliamentary affairs.

The witnesses are very welcome. I know that the HSE in particular is going through a particularly busy and difficult period at the moment. I remind members, witnesses and those in the Public Gallery that all mobile telephones must be switched off. I also ask members and witnesses to remove their masks when speaking as they interfere with broadcast sound.

I draw the attention of witnesses to the fact 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 the 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, her or it identifiable.

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 House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

Members are reminded of the provisions of Standing Order 218 to the effect that the committee shall also refrain from inquiring into the merits of policy or policies of the Government or a Minister of the Government, or the merits of the objectives of such policies. While we expect witnesses to answer questions asked by the committee clearly and with candour, they can and should expect to be treated fairly and with respect and consideration at all times in accordance with the witness protocol.