Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I remind members, delegates and those in the Visitors Gallery to ensure their mobile phones are switched off for the duration of the meeting as they interfere with the broadcasting of the proceedings. I remind members of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against any person outside the Houses or an entity, by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

I welcome the Minister for Health and his team of officials, Mr. Jim Breslin, Secretary General, Department of Health; Ms Fiona Prendergast, principal officer, Department of Health; and Mr. Stephen Mulvany, chief financial officer, Health Service Executive. I remind committee members that as this is a Supplementary Estimate, the sub-committee will not be dealing with the whole Estimate. The Supplementary Estimate is for Vote 39 - Health Service Executive. There is a supplementary performance and information report on the impacts and outputs of programme expenditure. I call on the Minister to make his opening statement.