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

Apologies have been received from Senators van Turnhout and Crown and Deputies Peter Fitzpatrick and Regina Doherty. I remind members, witnesses and those in the Public Gallery that mobile telephones should be turned off or put on airplane mode for the duration of the meeting as they interfere with the broadcasting equipment which affects the recording of the meeting and also affects staff.

This is our second meeting of the day and the first meeting of the joint committee. Its purpose is to discuss the Gardasil human papillomavirus, HPV, vaccine. We already had a previous meeting on the issue. I welcome those who are watching at home, those who are in the Gallery and committee members and witnesses. It is important that we have a discussion on the matter today. Members of the Oireachtas met the representative group, REGRET, which is the support group for families of children experiencing health issues in relation to the Gardasil HPV vaccine. The committee will also hear medical evidence from the Department of Health and the HSE. Public vaccination plays a key role in the protection of public health. It is important we have a balanced and fair debate and that any claims made are based on scientific evidence rather than on opinion. The role of the committee is to facilitate a discussion.

I welcome Ms Karen Smyth, Ms Anna Cannon, Ms Kiva Murphy and Mr. Tom Reddy from the REGRET support group. They are all very welcome and I thank them for being here. I also welcome Dr. Colette Bonner, deputy chief medical officer of the Department of Health, Dr. Brenda Corcoran of the national immunisation office of the HSE, Dr. Kevin Kelleher, assistant national director of health protection in the HSE, Dr. Joan Gilvarry, director of human products monitoring in the Health Products Regulatory Authority, and Dr. Kevin Connolly, chairman of the national immunisation advisory committee. They are all very welcome to this morning's meeting.

By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, 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 nor make charges against any person or persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. Members of the committee are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice and rulings of the Chair to the effect that members should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person or persons outside the House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I invite Mr. Reddy to make the introductions and then I will call the other witnesses to make their presentations.