Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

-----rather than inadvertently leading to a diversion of limited resources from other crucial areas.

In any informed debate we will need to consider, as I am sure the people would need to consider in the context of a referendum campaign, the profound impact putting any words into our Constitution can have on the workings of this place, on our democratic process. The proposed amendment would create unprecedented pressure on the effective separation of powers. I heard and note the Deputy's comments in this regard. We have a system of checks and balances which ensures power cannot be overly concentrated with the Legislature, Executive or Judiciary.

If the Deputy's proposed amendment was to be incorporated into the Constitution, the Government, the Oireachtas, and perhaps I, as Minister for Health, would give up responsibility for making decisions on how resources are allocated in the health sector. While Deputy Mattie McGrath might be happy with that-----

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