Pádraig Rice (Cork South-Central, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I advise members of the constitutional requirement that members 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, a member who attempts to participate from outside the precincts will be asked to leave the meeting. In this regard, I ask any members partaking via MS Teams that prior to their contribution to the meeting they would confirm they are on the grounds of the Leinster House complex.

Members are reminded of 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. 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 that they comply with any such direction.

Today the committee will consider the treatment of children with hip dysplasia and scoliosis and related matters. To commence the committee's consideration of this matter I welcome from Children's Health Ireland Ms Lucy Nugent, chief executive officer, Dr. Ike Okafor, clinical director, Ms Eilish Hardiman, strategic programme director, Dr Allan Goldman, chief medical officer and Mr. David Moore, head of the spinal service management unit; from the HSE Ms Kate Killeen White, regional executive officer, HSE Dublin and Midlands, Dr. Colm Henry, chief clinical officer, and Anne Marie Hoey, chief people officer; and from the Department of Health I welcome Ms Tracey Conroy, assistant secretary and Ms Rachel Kenna, chief nursing officer

It is fair to say the matters before us are very serious. What has been revealed in the various reports and via the media has been deeply concerning to committee members and citizens across the country. Before today’s meeting we asked Children’s Health Ireland to provide us with a copy of the internal investigation. That has not happened. That is somewhat disappointing. We would have liked to have seen that before today’s meeting. Some of the replies we have received to parliamentary questions have been unsatisfactory. I expect today that we get full and frank answers to some of those questions.

To commence our consideration of these matters I invite Ms Nugent to make the opening remarks on behalf of Children’s Health Ireland.