John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)

Today we will engage with Children's Health Ireland, CHI, and the National Treatment Purchase Fund, NTPF, to discuss CHI's financial statements for 2023 and the financial statements of the NTPF. I welcome Ms Lucy Nugent, chief executive officer; Mr. John Fitzpatrick, interim chief financial officer; Ms Eilish Hardiman, strategic programme director; Ms Julia Lewis, transformation director; and Ms Paula Kelly, clinical director, CHI. I welcome Ms Fiona Brady, chief executive officer; Mr. Don Gallagher, chair; Mr. Seán Flood, director of finance; and Ms Bernadette Weir, director of commissioning, NTPF board. We are joined by officials from the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General, including the Comptroller and Auditor General, Mr. Seamus McCarthy, who is a permanent witness to the committee, and Ms Paula O'Connor, deputy director of audit.

I will explain some limitations to parliamentary privilege and the practice of the Houses as regards reference they make to other persons in their evidence. The evidence of witnesses physically present or who give evidence from within the parliamentary precincts is protected pursuant to the Constitution and statute by absolute privilege. This means they have an absolute defence against any defamation action for anything they say at the meeting. However, they are expected not to abuse this privilege and it is my duty as Cathaoirleach that this privilege is not abused. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory with regard to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with such direction.