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

I welcome all our witnesses to our meeting this morning to discuss the public health (tobacco and nicotine inhaling products) Bill 2019, including Ms Averil Power, chief executive officer, and Mr. Paul Gordon, policy and public affairs manager, Irish Cancer Society; and Mr. Chris Macey, director of advocacy, and Mr. Mark Murphy, advocacy officer, Irish Heart Foundation.

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

All witnesses are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable or otherwise engage in speech that may be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. Therefore, if witnesses statements are potentially defamatory to an identified person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that witnesses comply with any such direction.

Members are reminded of the long-standing practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. I call Ms Averil Power-----