Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Workers and Unemployed Action Group) | Oireachtas source

I apologise for the duplication of questions, but in this session we are dealing specifically with how the proposed Bill will affect the smaller and more rural units such as the one in south Tipperary from where I come. I seek clarification on the appropriate locations. I take it from what the witnesses have said the locations need to be broadened because there may not be psychiatric care facilities, for instance, on-site. For example, the unit in Limerick is stand-alone and does not have a coronary care or intensive care unit immediately available. What exactly are the witnesses saying in terms of extending the locations? Are there enough personnel available in the smaller units to actually implement the provisions set out in the Bill? If there are not, what other personnel might be needed? It has been suggested that in most of the units, one is talking about one in three or one person being available every third weekend.

What difficulties are caused by that? The possibility of a local panel, a national panel, or both, has been suggested in relation to that.

I have a related question on how smaller units might be affected by conscientious objection. Could such objections result in personnel not being available in smaller units to undertake the provisions of the Bill?

I would like to revisit a question I asked in the previous session. Do the witnesses feel that the Bill, as currently proposed, gives adequate clarity and protection to medical personnel in their units?