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

Apologies have been received from Deputy Gino Kenny, who will be substituted for by Deputy Bríd Smith. I welcome to the meeting the Minister for Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, who will brief the committee on the review of the scope and structure of the operation of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018. I also welcome Ms Geraldine Luddy, principal officer at the Department of Health.

Before we hear the opening statement, I need to point out to witnesses that there is uncertainty as to whether parliamentary privilege will apply to evidence 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 call on the Minister to make his opening remarks.