Mary Ann O'Brien (Independent)

I welcome Dr. Manning and thank him for an inspirational address. Ireland's current health strategy is more than ten years old and does not contain an explicit right to health, as highlighted by the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The current system of health care in Ireland is based on a two-tier public-private model of insurance, thus denying equality of access to health care. The National Disability Authority and the National Women's Council of Ireland are among a number of groups which have found that discrimination in access to and the availability of health care disproportionately affects vulnerable groups in society. Ireland's stakeholder report to the forthcoming universal periodic review entitled, "Your Rights. Right Now.", recommends that Ireland develop "a comprehensive Health Strategy for the delivery of appropriate and adequate healthcare with particular emphasis on vulnerable groups in [our] society". I take the opportunity to emphasise the desirability of in-home care for many children, as well as the cost-efficient nature of this method of access to health care. I note the fourth title of the European Charter of Fundamental Human Rights covers access to health care. Dr. Manning highlighted this charter in a recent newspaper article referring to a number of human rights instruments. I ask him to explain the charter's importance as a guide for law and policymakers.