James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The words that the Deputy seeks to delete could send the wrong signal about the purpose of the Bill. It is purely and simply an identifier, nothing else, and it is critically important to be clear on that point. The other issue that has been raised is for another day. The purpose of this Health Identifiers Bill is to put in place a legislative framework for the individual health identifiers. This is primarily a patient safety issue as I have already said. Eligibility for health services is a separate issue and is provided for in other legislation. Any requirement to consider entitlements or eligibility in advance of assigning an IHI could potentially delay assignment and, therefore, compromise patient safety.

We must also bear in mind that the IHI is an identifier which will apply throughout the health service, public and private. Further, an IHI can also be assigned to anyone receiving a health service, whether or not the person is ordinarily resident in the State. The Irish health services regularly provide treatments, etc., to, for example, tourists on whom we would not want to confer rights to longer term care.

Nevertheless, assignment of the identifier would be an important element in ensuring their safety as patients while in this jurisdiction receiving care.

I am afraid I cannot accept amendment No. 8 because the purpose of the Bill and the intended use of the individual health identifier throughout the health service is for one purpose and one purpose only, that is, patient safety and to identify the patient, not to confer rights or entitlements.