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

We will commence the meeting. Deputy Bríd Smith will be deputising for Deputy Gino Kenny while Senators Higgins and Seery Kearney will be deputising for Senators Black and Kyne, respectively, today. The committee meeting will be split into two sessions. For the first three hours we will be meeting with Dr. Peter Boylan and Mr. Simon McGarr. All are very welcome to the meeting.

All members and witnesses are again 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 might be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory with regard to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative they comply with any such direction. This is the usual format of direction on privilege which we read out at the start of the meeting.

I call now on Dr. Boylan to make his opening remarks, please.