Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank members and witnesses for participating in today's committee meeting and for abiding by the exceptional measures. I remind everyone that, apart from me and members of the committee secretariat, all members and witnesses are required to participate remotely and all members are required to participate from within the Leinster House complex. Apologies have been received from Deputy Shanahan. Senator Ahearn is running late.

Today we are carrying out pre-legislative scrutiny on the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Amendment) Bill 2020. The Bill provides for the treatment of Covid-19 as an occupational illness by employers and requires them to report any occurrences of the disease in the workplace to the Health and Safety Authority. The Bill was introduced in the Dáil last year by Deputy O'Reilly, who is also a member of our committee.

To assist the committee in its consideration of this matter today, I am pleased to welcome from the Health and Safety Authority, Dr. Sharon McGuinness, chief executive, and Ms Yvonne Mullooly, assistant chief executive in the chemicals and prevention division. From the Health Service Executive, I welcome Mr. Nick Parkinson, head of the national health and safety function; Dr. Lynda Sisson, national clinical lead for workplace health and well-being; and Professor Martin Cormican, national clinical lead for the antimicrobial resistance and infection control team and for the vaccine roll-out. From the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, I welcome Mr. Frank Vaughan, congress health and safety consultant, and Mr. David Hughes, deputy general secretary of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation.

Before we start, I will explain some limitations on parliamentary privilege and the practice of the Houses regarding the reference witnesses may make to other persons in their evidence. The evidence of witnesses physically present or who give evidence from within the parliamentary precincts is protected by absolute privilege pursuant to both the Constitution and statute. However, today's witnesses are to give evidence remotely from a location outside the parliamentary precincts. As such, they may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as witnesses physically present.

Witnesses are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction.

Opening statements and other documentation have already been circulated to all members. To commence our consideration of this matter, I invite Dr. McGuinness to make her opening remarks on behalf of the Health and Safety Authority.