Sharon Keogan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

A few weeks ago, I hosted an information afternoon in Leinster House on the World Health Organization, WHO, pandemic treaty. Attendees included an international panel of speakers comprising doctors, lawyers and politicians, some of whom have given evidence before the US Congress and Senate regarding the WHO's rule in the last pandemic. This treaty will have a significant impact on future governmental approaches to health emergencies, containing as it does both legally binding and non-binding provisions that dictate the behaviour of governments that are party to it.

I am concerned about sovereignty and the ability of the State to rule itself in this regard. I wish to clarify a point that is not well understood in Ireland, which is that more than 80% of the WHO's funding comes from special interests, not member states' fees. These special interests comprise large pharmaceutical companies and billion dollar philanthropic concerns. These are the entities that really control the WHO and it is extremely important to have this insight when considering the far-reaching proposals scheduled to be voted on by the World Health Assembly between 27 May and 1 June.

Nations will be freed from mandating WHO directives relating to travel on their own citizenry, but will be compelled to do so in the case of visitors from any and all of the other 194 member states. This is how the WHO gets around the sovereignty issue. It is an especially disturbing provision as it involves the potential reintroduction of vaccine passports, but this time as a condition of international travel. I call on the Government to host a robust and proper debate. There is an urgent need for the Covid inquiry to investigate the WHO's role in advising during that pandemic. Finally, I call for a debate on the introduction of vaccine passports and powers of quarantine.Medical privacy and personal health autonomy are essential in a democracy where citizens are free to make healthcare choices privately. This is another rubber stamp we can be expected to rush through these Houses before the end of May. It is obvious that pharmaceutical money talks in these Houses.