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

Apologies have been received from Senators Frances Black and Annie Hoey. Minutes of the committee meetings of September 26, 27 and 28 have been circulated to members for consideration. Are they agreed? Agreed.

The purpose of the meeting today is for the joint committee to consider the 2022 annual report published by HIQA as well as other reports published by the body. To assist the committee to consider this matter I am pleased to welcome from HIQA, Ms Angela Fitzgerald, CEO; Ms Carol Grogan, chief inspector of social services; Ms Máirín Ryan, deputy CEO and director of health technology assessment; Ms Rachel Flynn, director of health information and standards; Mr. Sean Egan, director of healthcare.

Witnesses are reminded of the longstanding 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 your statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity you will be directed to discontinue your remarks. It is imperative that you comply with any such direction.

Members are also reminded of the longstanding parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside of 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 they must be physically present within the confines of the Leinster House complex in order to participate in public meetings. I will not permit a member to participate where they are 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 will ask any member attending the meeting via MS Teams that prior to making their contribution to the meeting that they confirm that they are on the grounds of the Leinster House campus.

To commence our consideration of the HIQA 2022 annual report and other reports which might be of interest to the committee, I now invite Ms Angela Fitzgerald to make her opening statement.