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

The purpose of the meeting is for the joint committee to consider the latest developments in the implementation of Sláintecare. To enable the committee to consider this matter further, I am pleased to welcome from the Department of Health, Mr. Robert Watt, Secretary General; Mr. Derek Tierney, assistant secretary; Ms Sarah Treleaven, principal officer; Mr. Bob Paterson, principal officer; and Ms Grace O'Regan, assistant principal. I also welcome from the HSE, Mr. Stephen Mulvany, chief executive officer; Mr. Damien McCallion, chief operations officer; Dr. Colm Henry, chief clinical officer; Ms Anne Marie Hoey, national director, human resources; Ms Yvonne Goff, national director, change and innovation; and Mr. Liam Woods, national director, regional health areas, RHA, implementation. All present in the committee room are asked to exercise personal responsibility to protect themselves and others from the risk of contracting Covid-19.

I will read a note on privilege. 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 any of their statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction from the Chair.

Members are again reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against persons outside the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. I remind members of the constitutional requirement that they must be physically present within the confines of the Leinster House complex to participate in public meetings. I will not permit a member to participate where he or she is not adhering to this constitutional requirement. Therefore, any member who attempts to participate from outside the precincts will be asked to leave the meeting. In this regard, I ask members partaking via MS Teams to confirm, prior to making their contributions, that they are on the grounds of the Leinster House campus.

I invite Mr. Watt to make his opening remarks