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

My apologies for the technical problems. As I was saying, we were hoping to get representatives of St. Vincent's Holdings before the committee. It was very short notice, but that is down to the timescale within which we were trying to work on this matter.

Two of the directors are away and another had a prior engagement. I appreciate the witnesses coming in and giving their time today.

Today, we will meet representatives of St. Vincent's Healthcare Group, SVHG, to continue our discussion on the proposed new national maternity hospital. We are joined by Mr. James Menton, chair of St. Vincent's Healthcare Group and founding partner of St. Vincent's Holdings, and Dr. John Holian, board member of St. Vincent's Healthcare Group and chair of St. Vincent's University Hospital medical board. I have probably pronounced his name wrongly. We will hopefully sort it out during the meeting. We are joined by Ms Imelda Reynolds, board member of St. Vincent's Healthcare Group, Professor Janice Walshe, consultant oncologist, and Mr. Donal O'Raghallaigh, partner at McCann FitzGerald solicitors. They are all very welcome to our meeting.

All members and 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 might be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks and it is imperative that they comply with any such direction.

I ask Mr. Menton to make his opening remarks.