Pádraig Rice (Cork South-Central, Social Democrats)

Apologies have been received from Deputy Sherlock and Senator Clonan. I advise 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 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 that members joining on MS Teams, prior to making their contribution to the meeting, confirm they are on the grounds of the Leinster House campus.

Members are also reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect 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 members' statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, I will direct them to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction.

The minutes of the meeting of 17 September have been circulated. Are they agreed? Agreed. Today, the committee will receive an update on key issues relating to the health service, including Sláintecare reforms, the capital expenditure programme, the public-only consultant contract and the standards within nursing homes. I welcome the representatives from the Department of Health and the HSE, including Mr. Robert Watt, Secretary General of the Department, and his colleagues, as well as Mr. Bernard Gloster, chief executive of the HSE, and his colleagues.

Witnesses are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect 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 their 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.

The committee has received a letter from the Minister for Health, Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, regarding Children’s Health Ireland, CHI. She informs the committee of her appointment of a new chairperson of CHI, Dr. Yvonne Traynor, and of two board members, namely Mr. Fergus Finlay and Ms Suzanne Garvey. The Minister has also confirmed her intention to fully integrate CHI into the HSE, which is welcome news.

To commence proceedings, I invite Mr. Watt to make his opening remarks on behalf of the Department of Health. He has nine minutes.