I welcome everyone to this public meeting of the Joint Committee on Autism. We have received apologies from Deputy Harkin. Before we start business today, I would like to read some formal notices and the Covid-19 code of conduct. All those present in the committee room are requested to exercise personal responsibility to protect ourselves and others from the risk of contracting Covid-19.
On privilege, I remind members of the constitutional requirement that they must be physically present within the confines of the place where Parliament has chosen to sit, namely, Leinster House, to participate in public meetings. I will not permit a member to participate where he or she is not adhering to this constitutional requirement. Therefore, any member who attempts to participate from outside the parliamentary precincts will be asked to leave the meeting.
For the information of the witnesses, I wish to explain some limitations to parliamentary privilege and the practice of the Houses as regards references they 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 the Constitution and statute, by absolute privilege. Witnesses are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect 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 that person or entity. Therefore, if witnesses' statements are potentially defamatory of an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction.
Today's meeting is with representatives of the HSE, and will conclude around 2 p.m.. The Working Group of Committee Cathaoirligh has requested that committees finish their business on time, if possible, as otherwise the committee rooms may not be ready in time for the next committee meetings.
I propose that we take a five-minute break halfway through the session, at 12.30 p.m. approximately. We will be sticking to five minutes for that break. The meeting will recommence after five minutes exactly. Is that agreed? Agreed.
I propose that the following arrangements will apply. We will first hear the opening statements of the witnesses and then have questions and answers with members. Witnesses will have approximately five minutes for their statements. Each member will have five minutes for questions and replies. Members may speak more than once. They will be called in accordance with the lists of speaking slots that was circulated. Is that agreed? Agreed.
The first item on the agenda is the minutes of our previous meetings. Are the minutes of the public meetings held on 22 and 29 September and 4 October agreed? Agreed.