Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Táimid i seisiún poiblí. Inniu, tá an fo-choiste anseo chun díospóireacht a dhéanamh ar choinníollacha fostaíochta dochtúirí neamh-chomhairleacha ospidéil. Ba mhaith liom fíor fáilte a ghabháil le baill Fheidhmeannacht na Seirbhíse Sláinte. I welcome to the second part of the meeting Ms Laverne McGuinness, Mr. Barry O'Brien and Professor Eilis McGovern, and also Mr. Ian Carter and Mr. Andrew Condon. We are discussing the employment conditions of non-consultant hospital doctors. We had an informative and challenging meeting earlier with representatives of the IMO who made a strong presentation to the committee. I thank most sincerely Ms Laverne McGuinness, chief operations officer of the HSE, Mr. Barry O'Brien, national director of human resources, and Prof. Eilis McGovern, national programme director for medical training, for attending this afternoon.

Before we commence I remind members and witnesses that witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they give this committee. However, if a witness is directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and the witness continues to so do, the witness is entitled thereafter only to qualified privilege in respect of his or her evidence. Witnesses are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and they are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise nor make charges against any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or an official by name in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I apologise for the poor attendance. Some members have been called to another meeting. We have a list of apologies. I also welcome Mr. Ian Carter and Mr. Andrew Condon from the HSE who are seated behind me. I invite Ms McGuinness to make her opening statement.