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

I welcome Deputy Ward, who is substituting for Deputy Cullinane, and Senator Ruane, who is also joining us this morning. There is one matter of housekeeping before calling on the witnesses. Are the draft minutes of our private meetings on 7 and 14 September agreed to? Agreed.

I welcome the following representatives from the Health Service Executive, who will update the committee on the BreastCheck screening programme and improving outcomes for breast cancer with the national cancer control programme, NCCP: Professor Risteárd Ó Laoide, national director, national cancer control programme; Ms Fiona Murphy, chief executive, national screening service; Professor Fidelma Flanagan, lead clinical director for BreastCheck national screening service and consultant radiologist at the Mater hospital; Professor Arnold Hill, surgical oncology clinical adviser, national cancer control programme and breast cancer surgeon at the RCSI Hospitals Group at Beaumont Hospital; and Mr. Martin O'Sullivan, chairman, breast cancer leads group in the NCCP and consultant surgeon in Cork University Hospital.

Members now have the option of being physically present in the committee room or may join the meeting remotely from Leinster House. Members and all in attendance are asked to exercise personal responsibility in respect of protecting themselves and others from the risk of contracting Covid-19. They are strongly advised to practise good hand hygiene and leave at least one vacant seat between them and others attending. They should also maintain an appropriate level of social distance during and after the meeting. Masks, preferably of medical grade, should be worn at all times during the meeting, except when speaking, and I ask for the members' full co-operation in this regard.

All witnesses are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against any person or entity either by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory in respect of an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction.

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 Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I call on Professor Ó Laoide to make his opening remarks.