Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

In six days' time, the window for Ireland to opt out of the amendments made to Article 59 of the international health regulations will close. This amendment was adopted by the World Health Assembly, WHA, and slashes the periods of time for which future amendments can be made from 18 months down to 12. It also cuts the time during which a member state, like Ireland, can exercise the right to reject the amendments from 18 months to 10 months. This is a fierce piece of legislation. There are 307 amendments brought forward by the WHA, an unelected body. We are expected to deal with this and there has been no debate on it here. It is happening with zero media attention and zero debate in the House. It is totally undemocratic and against our sovereignty. I seek an urgent debate on the matter this week because it will happen at the end of the week and 307 amendments will just pass through.

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