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

Apologies have been received from Deputies Colm Burke, Gino Kenny and Róisín Shortall.

The purpose of the meeting is to consider the 2024 Revised Estimate on Vote 38 for the Department of Health. I welcome the Minister for Health, Deputy Donnelly and the Minister of State with responsibility for public health, well-being and national drugs strategy, Deputy Naughton. I thank them for the provision of a briefing note on the Estimate. Members will have noted the correction notified by the Department of one figure in that briefing note.

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 and it is imperative 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 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 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 member participating 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 consideration of the Revised Estimate, I invite the Minister for Health to make his opening remarks.