Chairman:

I welcome to the meeting representatives from the Irish Hospital Consultants Association, IHCA; Dr. Roy Browne, consultant psychiatrist; Dr. Kieran Moore, consultant psychiatrist; Dr. Donal O’Hanlon, consultant psychiatrist; and Mr. Martin Varley, IHCA secretary general. I thank them for their attendance. The witnesses will be invited to make a brief opening statement, which will be followed by a questions-and-answers 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 should also be aware that under the salient rulings of the Chair, 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 remind witnesses and members to turn off their mobile phones or switch them to flight mode, as they interfere with the sound system and will adversely affect the television coverage and live streaming. Any submission or opening statements witnesses provide to the committee will be published on the committee website after this meeting.

I invite Dr. O'Hanlon to make his opening statement.