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

I welcome representatives from the Irish Dental Association who will present virtually to our meeting and provide the committee with their observations on the operation of the medical card scheme. From the Irish Dental Association, I welcome: Dr. Anne O’Neill, president, Dr. Clodagh McAllister, president-elect, Mr. Fintan Hourihan, CEO, and Dr. Caroline Robins, chair, general practice committee.

Before we hear the opening statements, I must point out to the witnesses that there is uncertainty if parliamentary privilege will apply to their evidence from locations outside the parliamentary precincts of Leinster House. If, therefore, they are directed by the Chairman to cease giving evidence in relation to a particular matter, the witnesses must respect that direction. I call on Mr. Hourihan to make his opening remarks.