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

The purpose of today's meeting is for the joint committee to meet with the Department of Health to conduct pre-legislative scrutiny of the general scheme of the health information Bill 2023. I am pleased to welcome from the Department of Health Mr. Muiris O'Connor, assistant secretary, Mr. Peter Lennon, assistant principal, Dr. Sarah Gibney, principal officer, and Mr. Niall Sinnott, principal officer.

All those who are present in the committee room are asked to exercise personal responsibility to protect themselves and others from Covid-19. Thankfully, there has been a declaration on that and we have removed the screens and everything else, so there is a bit normality in that regard.

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.

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 also 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 any member participating via Microsoft Teams that prior to making his or her contribution to the meeting, he or she confirms he or she is on the grounds of the Leinster House complex.

To commence our discussion, I invite Mr. Muiris O'Connor to make his opening remarks on behalf of the Department of Health.