Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein)
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Public petition No. P00036/22, reopen Ennis, Nenagh and St. John's emergency departments, is from the Mid-West Hospital Campaign group. I will explain some limitations to parliamentary privilege and the practice of the Houses as regards reference witnesses may make to other persons in their evidence. The evidence of witnesses physically present or who give evidence from within the parliamentary precincts is protected, pursuant to both the Constitution and statute, by absolute privilege. They are again reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity, by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable, or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity.

Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction.

Before we hear from our witnesses, I propose that we publish their opening statements on the committee’s website. Is that agreed? Agreed. On behalf of the committee, I would like to extend a warm welcome to the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, and his officials from the Department of Health. We are joined by Ms Siobhán McArdle, assistant secretary with responsibility for unscheduled care, and Ms Tracey Conroy, assistant secretary with responsibility for acute hospitals oversight and performance. Also joining us from the Health Service Executive are Dr. Colm Henry, chief clinical officer, and Dr. Rosa McNamara, consultant in emergency medicine, St. Vincent’s University Hospital, Dublin, and adviser to the emergency medicine programme.

I suggest that our witnesses make their opening statements for around five to ten minutes. When all the witnesses have made their opening statements, we will have questions and comments from members. Each member will have approximately ten minutes. To make it clear, I will be keeping it to ten minutes because the Minister has to be gone by 3 p.m. That will allow everybody to get in and should give people an opportunity to come back in a second time. Members may speak more than once. I call on the Minister to make his opening statement.