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

I welcome our witnesses from the Health Service Executive, HSE, and the national immunisation advisory committee, NIAC. They are presenting virtually to our meeting and will provide us with an update on the roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccination programme.

From the HSE, we have Dr. Colm Henry, chief clinical officer, Mr. Damien McCallion, national lead for the Covid-19 vaccination programme, Professor Martin Cormican, chairperson of the clinical support group and Dr. Lucy Jessop, director of public health, national immunisation office, NIO. From NIAC, we have Professor Karina Butler, chair, and Dr. Brenda Corcoran, scientific adviser.

The witnesses are all very welcome to our meeting. Before we hear the opening statements, I point out to the witnesses that there is uncertainty as to whether parliamentary privilege applies to evidence given from a location outside the parliamentary precincts of Leinster House. Therefore, if witnesses are directed by me to cease giving evidence in relation to a particular matter, they must respect that direction.

I call Dr. Henry to make his opening remarks. He has five minutes.