Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome all the witnesses who will be presenting to us this morning by video link and who will provide us with a briefing on the roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccination. As members are aware, the High-Level Task Force on Covid-19 Vaccination published its national Covid-19 vaccine programme strategy and its accompanying vaccination programme implementation plan yesterday afternoon.

I welcome Prof Brian MacCraith, chair of the High-Level Task Force on COVID-19 Vaccination, Dr. Colm Henry, member of the High-Level Task Force on Covid-19 Vaccination and chief clinical officer with the Health Service Executive; Mr. Fergal Goodman, assistant secretary, Department of Health, Dr. Ronan Glynn, deputy chief medical officer, Department of Health; and Professor Karina Butler, chair, National Immunisation Advisory Committee, Royal College of Physicians of Ireland.

Before we hear their opening statements, I need to point out to the witnesses that there is uncertainty as to whether parliamentary privilege will apply to their evidence provided from a location outside of the parliamentary precincts of Leinster House. Therefore, if the witnesses are directed by me to cease giving evidence in relation to a particular matter, they must respect that direction. The witnesses are all very welcome this morning. I call on Professor MacCraith to make his opening remarks.