Results 23,861-23,880 of 46,197 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (27 Nov 2018)

Simon Harris: As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly. The Department of Health has no role in obtaining consultant referral letters for any purposes, including referrals to the UK for treatment.

Written Answers — Department of Health: HSE Expenditure (27 Nov 2018)

Simon Harris: Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products Reimbursement (27 Nov 2018)

Simon Harris: The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drug schemes, in accordance with the provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health and Social Care Professionals (27 Nov 2018)

Simon Harris: I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Charges (27 Nov 2018)

Simon Harris: The Health Act 1970 provides that all persons ordinarily resident in the country are eligible, subject to certain charges, to all in-patient public hospital services in public wards including consultant services and out-patient public hospital services. Persons can opt to be treated privately on admission to a public hospital, in which case they are liable for the consultants fees and...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Climate Change Adaptation Plans (27 Nov 2018)

Simon Harris: In 2009 the Government set a national target for Ireland to improve energy efficiency by 20% by 2020. At the same time, a more challenging efficiency target of 33% was set for the public sector to demonstrate leadership on energy efficiency. The 20% improvement in energy efficiency by the public sector towards its target of 33% by 2020, has been achieved based largely on low-cost...

Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Report Stage (Resumed) (28 Nov 2018)

Simon Harris: 7 o’clock I move amendment No. 5:In page 6, to delete lines 30 to 37, and in page 7, to delete lines 1 to 11. As I set out on Committee Stage, I note that the section on offences was placed in Part 1 of the Bill. As I outlined on Committee Stage, this was purely for technical reasons. The Bill was drafted in accordance with recognised drafting convention and legislative practice...

Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Report Stage (Resumed) (28 Nov 2018)

Simon Harris: The grouping was not my decision.

Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Report Stage (Resumed) (28 Nov 2018)

Simon Harris: Not for the woman.

Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Report Stage (Resumed) (28 Nov 2018)

Simon Harris: The reason I am removing this section is that a number of Deputies asked me to remove it at the outset. I am happy to do that. After the people voted to remove the eighth amendment, I told the House that I felt a responsibility to stick to what we said we would do in the general scheme. These offences were included in that scheme. The Bill provides that it shall be an offence for a...

Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Report Stage (Resumed) (28 Nov 2018)

Simon Harris: Deputy Kelleher speaks a lot of sense on this; it is something that needs to be very carefully monitored. This is why we are going to get on to issuing a review clause shortly, which is quite important. To be clear, the Oireachtas all-party committee gave me my instructions in preparing for the referendum and in drawing up the general scheme. The committee asked me to make sure the law was...

Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Report Stage (Resumed) (28 Nov 2018)

Simon Harris: I move amendment No. 10:In page 7, to delete lines 12 to 22.

Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Report Stage (Resumed) (28 Nov 2018)

Simon Harris: I move amendment No. 11:In page 8, line 9, to delete “5 years” and substitute “3 years”. I do not intend to take any time on this. It is prudent and sensible to review the operation of an Act and that we would not make the mistake of other countries by passing a Bill and considering that we had done our job here. It is important that we check the Act, which is...

Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Report Stage (Resumed) (28 Nov 2018)

Simon Harris: That is true.

Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Report Stage (Resumed) (28 Nov 2018)

Simon Harris: Yes.

Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Report Stage (Resumed) (28 Nov 2018)

Simon Harris: Data are very important. We might even disagree about some of this as we go through the legislation later. More data are likely to be collected on this health service than on any other. I and my successors will lay a report before the Houses annually. Among the numbers and statistics to be laid before the Houses annually will be the number of refusals of reviews under the legislation. ...

Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Report Stage (Resumed) (28 Nov 2018)

Simon Harris: I thought I had, but I will try again. I am giving this House a commitment that there is no intention whatsoever that we pass this legislation and do not have data available to Members of this House-----

Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Report Stage (Resumed) (28 Nov 2018)

Simon Harris: -----and much more importantly to clinicians and women. Amendment No. 12 is specifying that in three years' time this is what should be done. I am saying that we will do better than that and that we will lay before the Houses a report with statistics and data. I am saying that - this is not a new commitment the Deputy needs from me - the HSE, as the operators of the service, can and will...

Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Report Stage (Resumed) (28 Nov 2018)

Simon Harris: I move amendment No. 13:In page 9, line 9, to delete “section 14(2)(a)” and substitute “section 14(2)”. Section 14(1) states: A termination of pregnancy may be carried out in accordance with this section by a medical practitioner where, having examined the pregnant woman, he or she is of the reasonable opinion formed in good faith that the pregnancy concerned has...

Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Report Stage (Resumed) (28 Nov 2018)

Simon Harris: I thank everyone for their contributions. I know people on both sides of the debate have strong feelings on this issue. I feel that we have to stick to what is in the general scheme of the Bill. I remember one of the big reasons and main arguments leading "No" advocates had for campaigning was that one could not trust politicians. They said this was the draft law but that if given a...