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

The purpose of today's meeting is to consider issues relating to the development of the proposed national children's hospital with the Minister for Health. This follows the committee's recent meeting with representatives of the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board. I am pleased to welcome the Minister for Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly.

The Minister is accompanied by Mr. Derek Tierney, Ms Tracey Conroy, Ms Fiona Ross, chair of the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board, and Mr. Patrick Lynch, lead director for project and programme assurance in the HSE.

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 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 witnesses' 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 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 members to participate where they are not adhering to the 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 participating via MS Teams to confirm that they are on the grounds of the Leinster House campus prior to making their contribution.

To commence our consideration of issues relating to the development of the proposed national children's hospital, I invite the Minister to make his opening remarks.