Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the witnesses: Dr. Gabrielle Colleran, vice president, Irish Hospital Consultants Association, IHCA; Professor Robert Landers, vice president, IHCA; Mr. Martin Varley, secretary general, IHCA; Ms Vanessa Hetherington, assistant director, policy and international affairs, Irish Medical Organisation, IMO; Dr. Peadar Gilligan, consultant committee, IMO; Mr. Anthony Owens, director of industrial relations, consultant and non-consultant hospital doctors; Ms. Karen McGowan, president, Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, INMO; Ms. Phil Ní Sheaghdha, general secretary, INMO; and Mr. Tony Fitzpatrick, director of industrial relations, INMO.

Before we hear the opening statements I point out to the witnesses that there is uncertainty as to whether parliamentary privilege applies to evidence given from a location outside the parliamentary precincts of Leinster House. Therefore, if witnesses are directed by me to cease giving evidence in relation to a particular matter, they must respect that direction.

I call Professor Landers to make his opening remarks. He has five minutes. I appeal to everyone to try to keep to the time allocated.