Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

I agree the Bill's original definition of health professional was wide of the mark. It was obviously taken from somewhere else. It requires written consent for any inquiries on the applicant's medical history that may be made from a health professional by or on behalf of the issuing person. If somebody were on medical treatment, the issuing person would ask who was his or her doctor. If a person does not have a doctor but still looks deranged, the section does not exclude the possibility of nominating somebody to examine that person. The amendment has narrowed the focus of the section to allow inquiries to be made by or on behalf of the issuing person to a health professional.

See this speech in context