Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The purpose of today's meeting is to discuss the report entitled Wasted Lives: Time for a Better Future for Younger People in Nursing Homes. On behalf of the committee, I extend a warm welcome to our guests, Dr. Kathleen MacLellan, assistant secretary, and Ms Susan Scally, principal officer, from the Department of Health and Mr. Bernard O'Regan from the HSE. I am also delighted to welcome Mr. Peter Tyndall, Ombudsman, and Ms Sarah Cooney, principal officer, from the Ombudsman's office.

I remind members they are only allowed to participate in the meeting if they are physically located on the Leinster House complex or the complex in the convention centre when the Dáil or Seanad is sitting there. In this regard, if members are joining this meeting remotely, I ask them to confirm they are on the grounds of Leinster House campus or the convention centre to make a contribution to the meeting. For anyone that is watching the meeting publicly, witnesses are accessing the meeting remotely. Due to these unprecedented circumstances, I ask them to bear with us if some technical issues arise.

Before we commence with formal proceedings, I must begin with some formalities to advise in relation to privilege. Witnesses are only directed to give evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings. Witnesses 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 in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I advise the witnesses giving evidence from a location outside the parliamentary precinct to note the constitutional privilege afforded to witnesses attending to give evidence before the committee may not extend to them. No clear guidance can be given on whether or the extent to which the evidence given is covered by absolute privilege of a statutory nature. Persons giving evidence from other jurisdictions should also be mindful of the domestic statutory regime and if they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence, they should do so immediately.

Members are also reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person or entity outside of the House in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I call on Dr. MacLellan to make her opening remarks.