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

Apologies have been received from Senators Hoey and Black. I am told some of the members will be attending a Private Members' Bill and I think Deputy Durkan is next door at the finance committee meeting. I therefore apologise if people leave, come and go, but that is the nature of these meetings. Before we get to the main item on today's agenda, the draft minutes of the committee meeting of 24 October 2023 have been circulated to members. Are they agreed? Agreed.

The purpose of today's meeting is for the joint committee to consider a waiver for pre-legislative scrutiny on the health (miscellaneous provisions) Bill 2023. The objectives of the Bill are to provide for the exemption of rent-a-room income from medical card and GP-visit card assessment criteria and necessary amendments to the Irish Medicines Board Act 1995 to enhance the existing powers of the Minister for Health to make regulations for the sale, supply and administration of medicinal products and management of medicine supply chains and shortages. The Minister for Health, Deputy Donnelly, wishes to secure the enactment of the legislation as soon as possible in order to ensure the early and timely implementation of this Government policy. He has requested a waiver of pre-legislative scrutiny in this regard. I am pleased to welcome from the Department of Health, Mr. Paul Flanagan, principal officer, Ms Anne Marie Seymour, principal officer, Ms Adedolapo Odukoya, assistant principal, and Ms Bevin Doyle, assistant principal.

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 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 also 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 members 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 ask any members taking part via MS Teams to confirm, prior to making their contribution to the meeting, that they are on the grounds of the Leinster House campus.

To commence our consideration of a pre-legislative scrutiny waiver for the health (miscellaneous provisions) Bill 2023, I invite Mr. Flanagan to make his opening remarks on behalf of the Department of Health. He is very welcome.