Lisa Chambers (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

This part of today's meeting is on the area of healthcare. This second session is on medical supplies in Ireland post Brexit. Our witnesses are Mr. David Delaney, chairperson, and Mr. Padraic O'Brien, vice chairperson, Medicines for Ireland. I ask them to bear with me while I outline the issue of privilege, which is required at the start of every meeting.

Witnesses giving evidence from a location outside the parliamentary precincts may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as a witness giving evidence from within the parliamentary precincts, and they may consider it appropriate to take legal advice. If witnesses are directed to cease giving evidence at any point, please follow the Chair's direction. Privilege against defamation does not apply to the publication by witnesses outside of the proceedings held by the committee of any matter arising from the proceedings. I ask the witnesses not to make any adverse commentary against any identifiable third party or entity during their evidence to the committee.

I invite Mr. Delaney to make his opening statement and, with his permission, we will refer back to members for their questions.