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

Apologies have been received from Deputy David Cullinane and Senator Annie Hoey. I welcome members of the Joint Sub-Committee on Mental Health to the meeting this morning to discuss the significant need for investment in mental health services and how to respond to the increased need for the service provision arising from the impacts of Covid-19. I welcome our witnesses, Ms Fiona Coyle, CEO, and Ms Bernadette Grogan, policy and advocacy co-ordinator, Mental Health Reform; and Dr. Fiona Keogh, director of policy and research, Mental Health Ireland.

Members now have the option of being physically present in the committee rooms or may join the meeting remotely from Leinster House. Members in attendance are asked to exercise personal responsibility in respect of themselves and others in terms of the risk of contracting Covid-19. They are strongly advised to engage in the practice of good hand hygiene and leave at least one vacant seat them and others attending. They should also maintain an appropriate level of social distancing during and after the meeting. Masks, preferably of medical grade, should be worn at all times during the meeting, except when speaking, and I ask for the members' full co-operation in this.

Before we hear our witnesses' opening statements, I need to point out to them that there is uncertainty that parliamentary privilege will apply to their evidence from a location outside of the parliamentary precincts of Leinster House. If, therefore, they are directed by me to cease giving evidence on a particular matter, they must respect that direction.