Frances Black (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Apologies have been received from Senator Hoey.

Today, we are meeting representatives from the HSE to provide the Joint Sub-Committee on Mental Health with an update on the proposed closure of the Owenacurra centre in Midleton, County Cork. I welcome the witnesses to the meeting: Mr. Michael Fitzgerald, chief officer of Cork Kerry community healthcare, HSE; Dr. Sinead O’Brien, executive clinical director, Cork mental health services and consultant psychiatrist with the HSE; and Mr. Derek Chambers, general manager of mental health operations in the HSE.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against either a person outside the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I remind them that they are only allowed to participate in this meeting if they are physically located in the Leinster House complex. In this regard, I ask all members prior to making their contributions to the meeting to confirm that they are on the grounds of the Leinster House campus.

I call on Mr. Michael Fitzgerald to make his opening remarks.