Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We will now commence in public session. I remind members, witnesses and persons in the Public Gallery to ensure their mobile telephones are switched off or in aeroplane mode as otherwise they interfere with the broadcasting of proceedings and cause difficulties for staff.

The purpose of this meeting is to discuss issues surrounding the prevention and treatment of Lyme disease, an infectious disease caused by bacteria transmitted to humans by the bites of ticks infected with those bacteria. I thank Deputies Ciara Conway and Derek Nolan who nominated the issue for discussion in our work programme. Members will know from the briefing circulated that there have been 19 notified cases of Lyme disease - a statutorily notifiable condition - so far this year. We will hear during the meeting about matters relating to the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of this debilitating disease. I take this opportunity to thank everybody who took the time to correspond and liaise with the committee prior to the meeting, including the experts whom we are delighted to have in attendance today.

I remind the witnesses that presentations should take between four and five minutes. Given that we are holding two meetings and that there is a large number of witnesses, I urge the witnesses to be concise. There will be a question and answer session on the presentations. I again welcome Dr. Schwarzbach, Dr. Eoin Healy, Mr. Micheál Casey, Ms Lisa Vandegrift Davala, Ms Tracy Brennan and Ms Annette Moloney.

Before we commence I remind people regarding privilege. Witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they give to the committee. However, if they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. They are directed that only evidence connected to the matters under discussion should be given and are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against a person or an 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 and ruling of the Chair to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I invite Dr. Schwarzbach to make his opening remarks.