Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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Our meeting today will have two parts. The principal reason for this meeting is the examination of chapter 19 of the Comptroller and Auditor General's report 2016, management and oversight of grants to health agencies.

The committee agreed in private session on Tuesday to allow an hour today for questions regarding a matter discussed with the HSE previously. A HSE-commissioned report has been produced by Deloitte on the cost of care incurred by the service provider in the Grace case. Arising out of this, the committee has questions on two specific matters. These relate to the director general, Mr. Tony O'Brien's covering letter to the committee and his conclusion that "the service provider was not treated either unfairly or disproportionately", and an explanation for why the HSE argued that certain tables that appeared in an earlier draft should be removed from the final report.

I welcome Mr. O'Brien from the HSE and thank him for making time today. He will be joined by Ms Aileen Colley, chief officer in the community health care organisation, CHO, area 5 for the first session. She is welcome. I remind members, witnesses and those in the Gallery that all mobile phones must be switched off.

I advise the 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 this committee. If they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter to a qualified privilege only 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 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.

Members are reminded of the provisions within Standing Order 186 to the effect that the committee shall refrain from inquiring into the merits of a policy or policies of the Government or a Minister of the Government or the merits of the objectives of such policies.

While members may have many other concerns relating to the HSE's treatment of Grace and the service provider, we also acknowledge that the Houses have set up a commission of investigation to examine these matters and we do not wish to do anything to undermine that work. As such, we will be specific in what we put to Mr. O'Brien today. We will not get into the broader issues regardless of those concerns. I am sure that the Farrelly commission has the power and ability to get to the bottom of the matter.

Mr. O'Brien has an opening statement for this session, which he has brought with him. It has been circulated to all members. Mr. O'Brien may proceed.