Michael Harty (Clare, Independent)
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We will now resume in public session for session B of this morning's meeting. On behalf of the committee, I welcome Ms Teresa Cody and Ms Sorcha Murray from the Department of Health, and Ms Anne O'Connor, Mr. Stephen Mulvaney and Ms Rosarii Mannion from the HSE.

Before we begin, and as I also did at the beginning of session A, I wish to express the disappointment of the committee that the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has not attended our meeting this morning. We are going to write to the Department to express our dissatisfaction and invite it to attend a further session.

I draw the attention of witnesses to the fact 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 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.

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 Ms Teresa Cody to make the opening statement.