Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I wish Ms Horan well in her new post. She has been a member of the board of the HPRA for some time. When did she first take up a position as a member of the board?

I will not repeat the comments made by Deputy Kelleher. We place huge trust in and depend on the reliability of entities entrusted with scrutiny and regulation regarding health products. In recent years, however, we have had a number of disturbing issues relating to health products, the consequences of the use of certain health products, for example, DePuy hip replacement products and Poly Implant Prothèse, PIP, replacement breast enhancement products.

While the jury may be out, the parents have concerns about the HPV vaccine. Do vaccines as health products come under the scrutiny of the Health Products Regulatory Authority of Ireland, HPRA? The REGRET organisation represents the parents of those young girls who have had adverse consequences to the vaccine for cervical cancer. In the context of the PIP breast reconstruction and enhancement products, the HPV vaccine and many others - I did not write down a list in advance - who takes an overview on the HPRA's effectiveness? It would dent public confidence in the exercise if those matters have come under the scrutiny of the HPRA. What does Ms Horan say to the committee as chair of the HPRA board to address any residual concerns about any of the examples I have cited? I could add other cases but they will suffice as examples of the areas of concern I have. I repeat my good wishes to Ms Horan on her upcoming responsibilities.