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

Deputy Ward is substituting for Deputy Cullinane. He is very welcome. Apologies have been received from Senator Hoey. Before we get to the main item on today's agenda, minutes of the committee meetings of 3 and 4 October 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 final report of the Mental Health Commission on the provision of child and adolescent mental health services, CAMHS, in the State. The report, which was published last July, identified significant concerns with the services and made 49 recommendations. This meeting will be divided into two sessions. The joint committee will first meet with representatives from the Mental Health Commission following which we will meet representatives from the HSE.

To commence the committee's consideration of that matter, I am pleased to welcome from the Mental Health Commission Dr. John Hillery, chairperson, Mr. John Farrelly, chief executive, and Professor Jim Lucey, inspector of mental health services.

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 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.

I again 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 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 that prior to making their contribution to the meeting they confirm they are on the grounds of the Leinster House campus.

To commence our consideration of the report on CAMHS, I invite Dr. Hillery to make his opening remarks on behalf of the Mental Health Commission. He is very welcome.