Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Apologies have been received from Deputies Peter Fitzpatrick and Ciara Conway. I welcome those who are following our proceedings on the Oireachtas channel and online. The subject of this meeting is health services for the Irish communities in the United Kingdom and the United States of America. This is our first meeting with the new Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs with special responsibility for the diaspora, Deputy Jimmy Deenihan, whom I welcome before the committee. The Minister of State is accompanied by Mr. Ciarán Madden from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The committee is also pleased to welcome a number of advocates for Irish emigrants in Britain and America. Dr. Mary Tilki is chair and Ms Jennie McShannon is CEO of Irish in Britain. Dr. Tilki is a recognised advocate on health issues among the Irish community in Britain and Ms McShannon has more than 20 years of experience in a range of projects supporting vulnerable members of the Irish community in Britain. Mr. Brian O'Dwyer is a distinguished New York lawyer and highly influential activist on behalf of the Irish community in the USA, continuing the great tradition of his late father. I also welcome a good friend of mine, Mr. Mike Carroll, who is a member of the Irish-American Bar Association of Attorneys and the Emerald Isle Immigration Centre in New York, as well as being very involved with an Cumann Lúthchleas Gael. I pay tribute to all of the witnesses for their collective efforts on behalf of the Irish diaspora. I also welcome the following individuals in the Visitors Gallery: Mr. Cody McCone, who has come from the United States; Ms. Emer Rocke from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; Mr. Brian Farren; Mrs. Linda O’Shea Farren; Ms. Sara Carroll; and Mr. Liam Byrne.

Before I invite the Minister of State to make his opening contribution, I remind witnesses and members about privilege. Witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the committee. However, if witnesses 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. 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 or make charges against any person by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. 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 official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

As we are dealing with health issues today, it would be most appreciated if we could confine our remarks to issues pertaining to health.