Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Apologies have been received from Deputy McLellan, who has to go to another meeting, Senator van Turnhout and Deputy Mitchell O'Connor. Our second session is an engagement with the chairperson of the Irish Blood Transfusion Service, Professor Anthony Staines, whom I welcome. As part of its scrutiny role of key appointments in the health area, the Joint Committee on Health and Children has been asked to meet and engage with the chairpersons designate of certain boards.

I wish to advise witnesses that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the committee. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. They are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against any person or an entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. Members are reminded of the long-standing ruling of the Chair to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or any official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.