Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I remind members, witnesses and those in the Gallery that mobile phones should be turned off. We have apologies from Senators van Turnhout and Henry and Deputy Regina Doherty. I welcome our guests and witnesses. We are discussing the role of public health nurses. I pay tribute to our public health nurses across the country for the tremendous work they do on behalf of all of us. The care and attention they give often goes unnoticed but it is appreciated and was highlighted by the very successful RTE programme dealing with the great work they do. I thank Ms Mary O'Dowd who has engaged with me on a personal level and as committee Chairman over the past number of months, and I welcome her and Ms Brigid Catterson, Mr. John Hennessy, Dr. Michael Shannon and Ms Martina Queally.

Witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they give to the committee. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to do so they are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. Only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given. Witnesses are asked to respect the parliamentary practice that where possible they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such as way as to make him or her identifiable. Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that members should not criticise, comment on or make charges against any person or persons outside the House or an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I call Ms Mary O'Dowd, director of the Institute of Community Health Nurses.