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

Apologies have been received from Deputy Crowe and Senators Kyne, Hoey and Black. The minutes of the committee meeting of 10 July 2024 have been circulated among members for their consideration. Are they agreed? Agreed.

The purpose of today's meeting is to receive an update on progress being made by the productivity and savings task force. The task force was established by the Minister for Health earlier this year to generate savings and efficiencies across the HSE and thereby ensure the maximum amount of patient care is delivered from the funding available. The context for this work is the need to provide an increasing amount of care to a growing and ageing population within a finite budget.

To assist the committee's consideration of this matter, I am pleased to welcome from the Department of Health, Mr. Robert Watt, Secretary General; Ms Louise McGirr, assistant secretary; Mr. Muiris O'Connor, assistant secretary; and Ms Rachel Kenna, chief nursing officer. From the HSE, I welcome Mr. Bernard Gloster, chief executive officer; Mr. Damien McCallion, chief technology and transformation officer; Mr. Stephen Mulvany, chief financial officer; and Ms Martina Queally, regional executive officer for HSE Dublin and south east.

I will 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 remind members of the constitutional requirement that they must be physically present within the confines of the Leinster House complex to participate at 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 issue of the progress being made by the productivity and savings task force, I invite Mr. Robert Watt to make his opening remarks on behalf of the Department of Health. He is very welcome.