Michael Harty (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The purpose of the meeting is to examine the findings and recommendations of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, RCOG, independent expert panel review into cervical screening in cases of cervical cancer in Ireland between 2008 and 2018. On behalf of the committee, I welcome the expert panel lead assessors: Professor Henry Kitchener, lead assessor, and Dr. Patrick Walker, deputy lead assessor, ROCG.

Attending on behalf of the Department of Health are Dr. Tony Holohan, chief medical officer; Ms Tracey Conroy, assistant secretary with responsibility for acute hospitals; Dr. Ronan Glynn, deputy chief medical officer; and Ms Celeste O'Callaghan, principal officer on the CervicalCheck project team. I welcome from the HSE Mr. Damien McCallion, interim national director of the national screening service, Dr. Colm Henry, chief clinical officer, Ms Celine Fitzgerald, interim CEO of the national screening service, Dr. Lorraine Doherty, clinical director of CervicalCheck, and Dr. Peter McKenna, clinical director of the women and infant programme.

I draw the attention of witnesses to the fact that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, they 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 call Professor Kitchener to make his opening statement.