425. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health the membership of the expert advisory group established by HIQA to inform an update of the national low-risk alcohol guidelines by her Department; its terms of reference; how often it has met; and when it is due to provide her with recommendations. [20982/26]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, Minister for Health: The Expert Advisory Group (EAG), to inform the approach and interpretation of the evidence and development of the advice by HIQA to support an update of the national low-risk alcohol guidelines, has met three times. The membership and terms of reference of the group are below. The work of the group is expected to be published in May this year.

Membership of the EAG is as follows:

- Dr Máirín Ryan (Chair),Director, HTA Directorate, HIQA

- Dr Laura Combera, Deputy Director, HTA Directorate, HIQA (member from 15 September 2025)

- Dr Audrey Dillon, Consultant Hepaologist, St. Vincent’s University Hospital

- Ms Anne Doyle, Research Officer (Alcohol), Health Research Board

- Dr Sinead N Duggan, Irish Nutrition & Dietetics Institute and Research Fellow in Evidence Synthesis, Queen’s University Belfast

- Prof Maeve Eogan, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Rotunda Hospital

- Mr Jason Farrell, National Director of Nursing, HSE

- Mr John Gaffey, PPI Contributor (member until 12 September 2025)

- Dr Sheila Gilheany, Chief Executive Officer, Alcohol Action Ireland

- Ms Claire Gordon, Principal Officer, Tobacco and Alcohol Control, Department of Health

- Dr Ilias Grammatikopoulosc, Consultant General Adult Psychiatrist, University Hospital Waterford (member from 04 July 2025)

- Ms Ger Halpin, PPI Contributor

- Dr Helen McAvoy, Director of Policy, Institute of Public Health

- Ms Siobhan McNamara, Tobacco and Alcohol Control Unit, Department of Health

- Dr Breeda Neville, Specialist in Public Health Medicine, HSE National Cancer Control Programme

- Prof Diarmuid O'Donovan, National Lead Health Improvement, HSE Health Improvement

- Ms Michelle O’Neill, Deputy Director, HTA Directorate, HIQA

- Dr Aisling Sheehan, National Lead, HSE Alcohol and Mental Health and Wellbeing Programmes

- Dr Adam Sherk, Senior Scientist and Special Policy Advisor, at the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA)

- Dr Susan Spillane, Deputy Director, HTA Directorate, HIQA (member until 15 September 2025)

- Dr Narayanan Subramanian, National Clinical Lead in Dual Diagnosis, and Consultant Psychiatrist, HSE

EAG Terms of Reference:

• Contribute to the provision of high-quality research and considered advice by HIQA to the Department of Health.
• Contribute to the work of the group by providing expert guidance, as appropriate.
• Be prepared to provide expert advice on relevant issues, outside of group meetings as requested.
• Provide advice to HIQA regarding the scope of the report.
• Review the project plan outline and advise on priorities, as required.
• Support the Evaluation Team during the process by providing expert opinion and access to pertinent data, as appropriate.
• Review the draft report from the Evaluation Team and recommend amendments, as appropriate.
• Contribute to HIQA’s development of its approach to evidence synthesis by participating in an evaluation of the process on the conclusion of the project.
• Notify the project lead if a nominee can no longer participate or contribute to the process as non-participation may require alternative EAG membership to be sought.