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

The committee will meet the Minister for Health to discuss the details of the proposed new national maternity hospital. The Minister is joined by Mr. John O'Donoghue, legal representative for the HSE, Ms Mary Brosnan, director of nursing and midwifery, Professor Mary Higgins, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, Dr. Rhona Mahony, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, Mr. Ciarán Devane, chairperson of the HSE board, Ms Ita O'Sullivan, legal representative for the HSE, Mr. Dean Sullivan, chief strategy officer for the HSE, and Mr. Paul de Freine, head of estates for the HSE. They are all very welcome.

Members and guests are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not criticise nor 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 might be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. If, therefore, their statements are potentially defamatory in respect of an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction. I remind members that today's meeting concerns the proposed new national maternity hospital and ask them to stick to that theme rather than raise other issues with the Minister and his officials.

I invite the Minister to make his opening remarks.