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

Witnesses from the HSE are with us to discuss improving the lives of those affected by rare diseases and their families, and the issue of genetic testing of newborn babies for rare diseases. I welcome Mr. Liam Woods, national director of acute operations in the HSE, Dr. Ciara Martin, consultant paediatrician, emergency medicine, and national clinical adviser and group lead, children and young people, and Mr. Shaun Flanagan, assistant national director in the primary care reimbursement service.

Witnesses are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity 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 relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks and it is imperative that they do so.

I ask Mr. Liam Woods to make his opening remarks. He is very welcome.