Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 13 February 2019

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health

CervicalCheck Screening Programme Update: Discussion

Photo of Louise O'ReillyLouise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The purpose of this meeting is to engage with officials from the Department of Health and the HSE to discuss issues arising from the CervicalCheck programme. On behalf of the committee I welcome Mr. Jim Breslin, Secretary General of the Department of Health, and officials from the Department, Mr. Greg Dempsey, deputy secretary, Ms Tracey Conroy, assistant secretary, and Ms Celeste O'Callaghan, principal officer. I welcome Ms Anne O'Connor, interim director general of the HSE, Mr. Damien McCallion, national director of the national screening services, Dr. Peter McKenna, clinical director of the national women and infants health programme and Dr. Lorraine Doherty, clinical director of CervicalCheck.

I draw the attention of witnesses to the fact that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they give to the joint committee. If, however, they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to 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 asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person or an entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. I advise witnesses that any opening statements they make to the committee may be published on its website after the meeting.

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 invite Mr. Breslin to make his opening statement.

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