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

We will now resume. 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.

For the next hour we will meet with Professor Shane Higgins, Master of the National Maternity Hospital; Dr. Jenny Walsh; Alice Murphy, solicitor; and Mr. Ronan Gavin. They are all very welcome.

On privilege, 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 a 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.

I call on Professor Higgins to make his opening remarks.