Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I fully understand the Deputies' anxiety about references to health. There is no disagreement about this at all. The Deputies are right that we did state that we would make a reference to health in the Bill. There may be some misunderstanding here. I am providing specific reference to health later in the Bill. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked which amendments that is in and it is amendments Nos. 59, 78 and 79. They refer specifically to health, as promised.

On the specific amendments under discussion now, I have a strong legal opinion on this and I have to regard to it. This Bill has to work properly. This is a legal point and there is absolutely no sound legal basis for specifically referencing the WHO guidelines. That is why I cannot accept the amendments but the Deputies will be aware of those other amendments we will come to later in the Bill, or if they are not, I refer them to those now.

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