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

I welcome our witnesses who will provide an update on the national children's hospital, NCH: Mr. David Gunning, chief officer, and Mr. Phelim Devine, project manager, National Paediatric Hospital Development Board, NPHDB; Ms Eilish Hardiman, chief executive officer, Children's Health Ireland, CHI; and Ms Fiona Prendergast, acting director of health infrastructure, and Mr. Eamonn Quinn, principal officer, major capital projects, Department of Health.

Before we hear their opening statements, I must point out to witnesses 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 invite Ms Fiona Prendergast to make her opening statement. She has five minutes.