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

Today's first session is a follow-up briefing from the HSE and Department of Health on the cost of pharmaceuticals. The second session will start at about 11.30; we have moved the time back a bit. In that session we will hear from Dr. John Holmes on the general scheme of the public health (alcohol) Bill.

I apologise to our witnesses for the delay in beginning. We held our first meeting last Thursday on the cost of prescription drugs and pharmaceuticals in Ireland. The stakeholders at that session included representatives from the IPU and the pharmaceutical industry. We also heard from Professor Colum Dunne from UL. A number of issues were raised concerning negotiations between the pharmaceutical industry, the HSE and the Government, which we want to revisit this morning. I thank Mr. John Hennessy, Mr. Shaun Flanagan, Mr. Paddy Burke, Professor Michael Barry, Mr. Fergal Goodman and Ms Teresa Cody for attending today. I also thank Mr. Ray Mitchell for his co-operation and assistance in organising this meeting.

In private session the committee discussed the fact that Alexion has twice declined our invitation to appear before the committee. The committee has agreed to publish the correspondence with Alexion. On your behalf I express disappointment and regret that its representatives did not appear.

I remind people to turn off their mobile phones, as they interfere with the broadcasting of the proceedings.

I remind people of the position on privilege. Witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they are to give this committee. If they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in relation to 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 persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. Members are reminded of a long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or any official by name in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I ask members to keep to the time limit, which I believe is seven minutes, as we have two busy meetings.