Michael Harty (Clare, Independent)
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I welcome our guests from the office of the UN special rapporteur and the National Women's Council of Ireland. The purpose of this evening's session is to discuss the right of everyone to enjoy the highest attainable standards of physical and mental health. Professor Dainius Pras and Ms Orla O'Connor, director of the National Women's Council of Ireland, are with us today.

I draw the witnesses' attention to the fact that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009 they 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 a 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 they are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

Any submissions or opening statements which have been submitted to the committee may be published on the committee's website after this meeting.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I invite Professor Dainius Pras to make his opening statement.