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

The purpose of today's meeting is to consider awareness, preventative measures and services for the treatment of sepsis. The meeting will be divided into two sessions. The committee will first meet with representatives from the Irish Sepsis Foundation, End Sepis, and Lil Red's Legacy Sepsis Awareness Campaign, following which it will meet with representatives from the HSE.

To commence the meeting's consideration of this matter, I am pleased to welcome Ms Doireann O’Mahony, chairperson, and Mr. Conor Callaghan from the Irish Sepsis Foundation; Ms Orlaith Staunton and Mr. Ciarán Staunton, End Sepsis; and Ms Karen Phoenix and Mr. Joe Hughes, Lil Red's Legacy Sepsis Awareness Campaign.

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.

We have received opening statements from our witnesses. They have been circulated to members and will be shown on our website. In the interests of enabling witnesses and the members to contribute to the meeting I invite our guests to concentrate on key issues in their opening statements. The opening statements will be read into the record anyway so perhaps there are a number of points they may wish to highlight and that is up to themselves. T o commence our consideration of the dangers of sepsis, I invite Ms O'Mahony to make her opening remarks on behalf of the Irish Sepsis Foundation. She is very welcome.