Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I will run through my questions quickly and the witnesses can give me a written response if necessary. My first question relates to the unique health identifier. The eHealth Ireland website speaks to plans for 2019 and obviously we have moved along considerably since that. Do we need any amending legislation on the individual health identifier or are the witnesses satisfied that the legislation already in place is robust enough? Can the witnesses assure us that they will not be pulling front-line staff away from the provision of already-delayed services, such as processing primary medical certificates, to carry out the vaccination programme?

I thank Dr. Henry for his clarification on informed consent in the context of vulnerable settings but I ask him to provide us with a copy of the protocol to which he referred. I also ask him to ensure, as a matter of urgency, that a code of conduct is issued to all of our nursing home settings around the country detailing how they should engage with older people. Naturally enough, older people are going to start asking questions as soon as the first vaccine is approved. It is very important that they are not told that they will not have access to X or Y service if they do not avail of the vaccine so that they are giving proper, informed consent.