Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Apologies have been received from the Chairperson, Deputy Michael Moynihan, who cannot be here today. Apologies have also been received from Senator Seery Kearney and Deputy John Paul Phelan.

The purpose of today's meeting is a discussion about the decongregation of mental health settings. The Mental Health Commission, MHC, has advised that it cannot discuss the specifics of Owenacurra for legal reasons. However, this does not constrain members from citing examples of lived experience in previous situations of decongregation.

On behalf of the committee, I extend a warm welcome to Mr. John Farrelly, chief executive, Dr. Susan Finnerty, Inspector of Mental Health Services, and Mr. Gary Kiernan, director of regulating standards and quality assurance.

On housekeeping matters, those present in the committee room are asked to exercise personal responsibility to protect themselves and others from the risk of contracting Covid-19. In the context of privilege, all witnesses are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not criticise or make charges against a 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 witnesses 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 a direction.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or an official, either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I remind members of the constitutional requirement that members must be physically present within the confines of the Leinster House complex to participate in public meetings. In this regard, I ask members joining remotely, prior to making their contribution to the meeting, to confirm that they are within the grounds of the Leinster House campus.

I call Mr. Farrelly to make his opening statement.