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

I welcome everybody to the meeting. I remind members, witnesses and those in the public gallery to please ensure that their mobile telephones are switched off so that the recordings of proceedings are not disrupted. Such phones can also interfere with the broadcasting of the meeting.

The issue for our first meeting this morning is sickle cell disease in Ireland. At the outset I express my gratitude and that of the committee to Deputy Robert Dowds for proposing the meeting and his assistance in organising it.

Sickle cell disease is a hereditary blood disorder characterised by red blood cells that assume an abnormal rigid sickle shape, which decreases the cells' flexibility. The disease has a risk of various life-threatening complications, and life expectancy is reduced. In 1994, in the US, the average life expectancy of persons with the condition was estimated to be 42 in males and 48 in females, but today, thanks to better management of the disease, patients can live into their seventies or beyond.

In the past ten years, medical professionals in Ireland have reported a yearly increase in patients reporting in hospitals with sickle cell disease. It is against this alarming increase in patient numbers that we convene the meeting. I welcome Dr. Corrina McMahon, the lead haematologist for haemoglobinopathy services at Our Lady's Children's Hospital in Crumlin, and Dr. Eibhlin Conneally, consultant haematologist at St. James's Hospital. Ms Lora Ruth Wogu, founder and chairperson of Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Ireland, is expected to attend shortly. I apologise for the delay at the beginning.

Before we commence I remind witnesses that they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the committee. If witnesses are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. Witnesses 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 comment on, criticise or make charges against any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him or her 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 Dr. Corrina McMahon to make her opening remarks.