Results 24,581-24,600 of 49,836 for speaker:Stephen Donnelly
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Review of Scope and Structure of Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act: Engagement with Minister for Health (8 Dec 2021)
Stephen Donnelly: I thank the Senator for the questions. On the first question with regard to the expert panel, I can give the Senator a commitment that I am open to whatever works, be that an expert panel, a formal panel, an informal panel, a domestic panel, an international panel and so on. We need to make sure that the chairperson has access to the expertise that is required. That might be partly...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Review of Scope and Structure of Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act: Engagement with Minister for Health (8 Dec 2021)
Stephen Donnelly: The short answer is "Yes". The civil society groups will have an opportunity not only to submit their research, but to highlight what they believe are the most important aspects of that research. The examples given by the Senator are a core part of what this review is about
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Review of Scope and Structure of Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act: Engagement with Minister for Health (8 Dec 2021)
Stephen Donnelly: It does. The three strands in phase 1 include consultation with the women, with the group referenced by the Senator, which is service providers both in hospital and community care - there is a very wide group of people who can be involved - and the public consultation.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Review of Scope and Structure of Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act: Engagement with Minister for Health (8 Dec 2021)
Stephen Donnelly: I thank the Senator. His interpretation is exactly correct in terms of what this review about. What is not in scope of this review is consideration of whether the three-day waiting period is right or wrong, whether it should be five days, one day or not there at all. That was a matter that was discussed in detail and ultimately decided by the Oireachtas. There were very clear heads of...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Review of Scope and Structure of Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act: Engagement with Minister for Health (8 Dec 2021)
Stephen Donnelly: We cannot pre-empt what the report will come back with or what is linked to operational difficulties. Is it possible that the report will come back saying the operationalisation of the three days is very difficult and it is recommended that it moves to two days or four days? The chair can recommend whatever he or she wants so long as it is linked to the operation of the Act. Then,...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Review of Scope and Structure of Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act: Engagement with Minister for Health (8 Dec 2021)
Stephen Donnelly: If it is helpful, I will ask the Department to send on a detailed note on this. I would very much have liked to have been able to appoint the chair. The very clear advice I have from the Department is that, given the amount of money involved, there has to be a requisite process. I will undertake to have a note sent to the Department on exactly that.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Review of Scope and Structure of Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act: Engagement with Minister for Health (8 Dec 2021)
Stephen Donnelly: I will ask Ms Luddy to respond to that and, as I said, I will ask the Department to put together a note on it for the committee.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Review of Scope and Structure of Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act: Engagement with Minister for Health (8 Dec 2021)
Stephen Donnelly: We can, although it is clearly not a point of order at all.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Review of Scope and Structure of Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act: Engagement with Minister for Health (8 Dec 2021)
Stephen Donnelly: I will ask Ms Luddy to reply to that.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Review of Scope and Structure of Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act: Engagement with Minister for Health (8 Dec 2021)
Stephen Donnelly: No. There was no equivalent tendering process.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Review of Scope and Structure of Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act: Engagement with Minister for Health (8 Dec 2021)
Stephen Donnelly: I thank the Senator. All I can give is my view on it. I want this chair in place as quickly as possible and the very clear advice I have from the Department is that there is a legal requirement to go through such a process.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Review of Scope and Structure of Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act: Engagement with Minister for Health (8 Dec 2021)
Stephen Donnelly: No. I got this advice directly from the Department of Health, which is right and proper. It would not be normal for me to check such advice with the Attorney General.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Review of Scope and Structure of Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act: Engagement with Minister for Health (8 Dec 2021)
Stephen Donnelly: I know I am repeating myself and I am not trying to be unhelpful. I have absolutely clear advice from the Department of Health that there is a legal requirement for us to go through this process. Were I to do as the Senator suggests, I would be acting in a way I am advised is illegal. The committee at that point would, quite rightly, be asking me very different questions. As I said, I...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Review of Scope and Structure of Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act: Engagement with Minister for Health (8 Dec 2021)
Stephen Donnelly: With regard to the Senator's previous points, I am happy to state again that the information should have been provided to the committee and it is not acceptable-----
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Review of Scope and Structure of Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act: Engagement with Minister for Health (8 Dec 2021)
Stephen Donnelly: It is not acceptable that the committee was provided with the terms of reference at that time. The Department is no more perfect than any organisation or any of us in what we do. The Senator made some quite strong statements and I state for the record that the Department of Health over the past 18 months has been working at a pace that I have never in my life seen people work. I was at my...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Review of Scope and Structure of Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act: Engagement with Minister for Health (8 Dec 2021)
Stephen Donnelly: I thank the Senator. To be clear, I was not talking about myself but rather my officials. It does not mean any of us gets everything right all the time but I just wanted to make that statement. On the Senator's substantive point, I believe there are gaps. I need to be very careful not to pre-empt this work but there are geographical gaps, for example. That is quite clear. We do not...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Review of Scope and Structure of Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act: Engagement with Minister for Health (8 Dec 2021)
Stephen Donnelly: I fully agree. I have got agreement from the Government and the Office of the Attorney General that this legislation would be listed for priority drafting. Drafting is under way and when we have the heads of the Bill, I will bring a memorandum to the Government. The heads of Bill will then go to the Joint Committee on Health for pre-legislative scrutiny. We will take the committee's...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Review of Scope and Structure of Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act: Engagement with Minister for Health (8 Dec 2021)
Stephen Donnelly: I will ask Ms Luddy to come in on the timeline for the process.