Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The purpose of this meeting is a discussion on cardiovascular health policy in Ireland with Mr. Tim Collins, chief executive officer, CEO; Ms Kathryn Walsh, policy manager; and Mr. Chris Macey, head of advocacy, Irish Heart Foundation, IHF; and Mr. Neil Johnson, CEO, and Ms Irene Gibson, director of programmes and innovation, Croí, which incorporates the West of Ireland Cardiac Foundation and the National Institute for Prevention and Cardiovascular Health, NIPC.

Before I ask our guests to deliver their opening statements, I need to point out to them that there is uncertainty as to whether parliamentary privilege will apply to evidence that is given from a location outside the parliamentary precincts of Leinster House. Therefore, if they are directed by me to cease giving evidence on a particular matter, they must respect that direction.

I now invite Mr. Collins to make his opening statement.