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

The purpose of this meeting is to receive an update from the HSE on the challenges facing patients in need of neurorehabilitation healthcare services, the programme for primary care centres and decisions on their locations and the child and adolescent mental health services, CAMHS. To commence our consideration of these matters I am pleased to welcome Mr. Bernard Gloster, CEO; Ms Anne Marie Hoey, chief people officer; Mr. Tony Canavan, regional executive officer, HSE west and north-west; Mr. Brian O'Connell, interim national director of capital and estates; and Dr. Amanda Burke, clinical lead for youth mental health.

I must read a note on privilege. Witnesses are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity either 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 respect of 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 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 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 ask any member participating via Microsoft Teams to confirm, prior to making his or contribution to the meeting, they are on the grounds of the Leinster House campus.

To commence our consideration of the current position regarding these three issues, I invite Mr. Gloster to make his opening remarks.