Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

While I appreciate that we are debating the Health Information Bill 2024, I must informed that House that we have just returned from a presentation about scoliosis patients. Given that heard children of 14 years of age saying that they have been left behind by the State, it would be very wrong to leave that room and not come into the Chamber and acknowledge what is going on in that regard. There were mams, dads and, most importantly, children in the audiovisual room. We had to listen to the Taoiseach - and I hate talking about a person when he is not here - giving a commitment that no child would have to wait more than four months for a scoliosis operation. After seeing the little children who are suffering and in pain come to Dáil Éireann today, it would be wrong of us not to come into the Chamber and acknowledge that. I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for her indulgence.

The Health Information Bill 2024, published in July, aims to establish a legal framework for digital health records in Ireland and to set guidelines for sharing patient data for care and treatment. I am very concerned about one thing. We had the cybersecurity attack a number of years ago, and people's records are very important. However, one thing that has happened in recent years is the introduction of data protection legislation. Sometimes data protection is a way to stonewall people and sometimes it can be a case of individuals saying they do not have to do anything because they can hide behind data protection. We all know that a person's health records are very important and personal to themselves, but that is obvious. Common sense cannot be bought or paid for and must prevail. If medical information needs to be shared when it comes to taking care of a patient, common sense must apply. We have to have safety guidelines and regulations, but people want access to records. I refer, for example, to circumstances where one consultant needs information from another.

Deputies Danny Healy-Rae, Michael Collins and I have been sending people to the North for many years to have their cataracts removed. We should not have to do that. We have to transfer the patients' medical information from here to there in order for people to know exactly what patient is coming before them and the surgery that needs to be performed. It is not just all cataract surgeries; there are many other types of issues. That is only one example of people needing to exchange medical information. When we have patient transfers, whether it is from University Hospital Kerry to Cork, Dublin or, in the case of children, Crumlin, the exchange of patient information is very important. However, we have to ensure that common sense applies and that people do not hide behind data protection.

See this speech in context