Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Our next business is Mr. Joseph Hughes's Petition No. 52 of 2022, Lil Reds Legacy Sepsis Awareness Campaign.

I wish to explain some limitations to parliamentary privilege, and the practices of the Houses with regard to references you may make to other persons in your evidence. The evidence of witnesses physically present, or who give evidence from within the parliamentary precincts, is protected pursuant to both the Constitution and statute by absolute privilege. 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 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.

Before we hear from our witnesses, I propose that we publish the opening statement on the committee's website. Is that agreed? Agreed.

On behalf of the committee, I extend a warm welcome to Mr. Joseph Hughes, to discuss Petition No. 52 of 2022, entitled Lil Red's Legacy Sepsis Awareness Campaign. Mr. Hughes is accompanied by Doireann O'Mahony of the Irish Sepsis Foundation. Mr. Hughes will read out the opening statement, and I suggest that he should make it for around ten minutes. We will then have questions and comments from members, and I would ask each member to stick to around ten minutes, which will let members come back in a second time.

I invite Mr. Hughes to make his opening statement.