Lynn Ruane (Independent)
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I have apologies from Deputy Gould, who will be represented today by Deputy Quinlivan. I also have apologies from Deputy Stanton.

Parliamentary privilege is considered to apply to the utterances of members participating online in a committee meeting when their participation is from within the parliamentary precincts. There can be no assurances in respect of participation online from outside the parliamentary precincts and members should be mindful of this when they are contributing.

The topic of our meeting this morning is engagement on decriminalisation, depenalisation, diversion and legislation. The committee members are very interested to learn from the experience of others in respect of drugs policy, especially people who are central to that discussion. I welcome the witnesses joining us today. From the Irish Pharmacy Union, we have Mr. Tom Murray, president; Dr. Denis O'Driscoll; and Ms. Sinéad McCool, head of professional services. From the Irish College of General Practitioners, we have Dr Diarmuid Quinlan, medical director; Dr. Bernard Kenny, director of the addiction management in primary care programme; and Dr. Des Crowley.

He is the clinical lead for HSE addiction services and assistant director of substance misuse. Is that correct? The witnesses are all very welcome. Dr. Crowley is indicating that he wishes to speak.