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

I thank Deputy Ó Caoláin. I recall his moving this amendment on Committee Stage and I recall saying that we might reflect on it. I know he is hoping for a different answer from the one I gave him then, but I have had time to reflect and am sure he will be neither surprised nor disappointed if I give the same answer again, particularly as he has indicated that he accepts the reason that the provision he seeks to delete is in the Bill.

The purpose of the Health Identifiers Bill is to put in place an enabling legislative framework for a system of unique health identifiers for individuals and health service providers. The Bill is a patient safety identification initiative, not a measure to confirm rights or entitlements. Eligibility for health services is a wholly separate issue and is provided for in other legislation. Any requirement to confirm eligibility for services before issuing an individual health identifier could delay the process and, therefore, have patient safety implications. The deletion of the words sought by the amendment could send the wrong signal about the purpose of the Bill. Therefore, I do not intend to accept the amendment.

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