Results 3,081-3,100 of 3,241 for speaker:Brian Ó Domhnaill

Seanad: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2018)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: It is respectful to the amendment. Senator Ruane went to the trouble of putting down an amendment and I am only giving some feedback on that. Broadening out the word "health" to include well-being would dilute the protections of the unborn child. It is not something that I could subscribe to or support. I agree with the Minister in what he had to say on broadening out the definition....

Seanad: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2018)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: -----given what the amendment is trying to achieve because it is very different from what I am trying to achieve.

Seanad: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2018)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I support amendments Nos. 3 and 15 and I agree with my colleague, Senator Mullen, on the importance of both of them. The amendments revolve around the viability issue and the protections for babies born at a late stage. Senator Mullen covered amendment No. 3 in detail but I will deal with amendment No. 15, which seeks to ensure that where an unborn child is capable of being born alive it is...

Seanad: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2018)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I support both amendments. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Catherine Byrne, to the House in place of the Minister, Deputy Harris. Perhaps she will be more forthcoming in accepting amendments. The Minister gave sympathetic consideration to accepting some amendments, but only some. These amendments coupled together, which have been outlined in detail, refer to section 9 which deals...

Seanad: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2018)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I bow to Senator Colm Burke's legal expertise. In the case where advice is given to the Government and it is not published, we are effectively left to make legislation here in the dark. We are assuming that the legislative advice given to the Government is sacrosanct. Why can it not be elaborated upon? One then goes into the area of consultation. Consultation with whom? Is it...

Seanad: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2018)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: The Minister correctly referred to the consultation by two doctors or medical practitioners and the committee. That would further strengthen the argument for the word "necessary". Surely in good faith they could arrive at a decision of "necessary" without being questioned on that. They would be well equipped to do that given their medical expertise. There is an issue around the medical...

Seanad: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2018)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I accept that. The other question relates to the advice that the Minister mentioned was provided by the chief medical officer of the Department. Has that advice been published? Is that also privileged information?

Seanad: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Dec 2018)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Notwithstanding the genuine nature of the amendments submitted, I cannot bring myself to support them. In regard to the words "mitigate" or "substantially mitigate", from my own perspective, it would have the effect of reducing further the protection of the unborn child, which is already non-existent.

Seanad: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Dec 2018)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: It is amazing what the objective is here. I refer to removing rights that are not already there. The rights of the unborn child, unfortunately, have been eroded by this legislation. There is no question about that, regardless of what side of the argument we are on. We should, at least, agree to that. I was speaking in respect of amendments Nos. 8 and 9. Amendments Nos. 16 and 17 refer...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Preschool Services (11 Dec 2018)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I, too, welcome the Minister of State. I acknowledge the co-operation of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Zappone, on this issue and know that she is tied up at the Cabinet meeting this morning. Her officials have been in touch with me and very co-operative. Baineann an cheist seo leis an rátá bunphá atá múinteoirí i gComhar...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Preschool Services (11 Dec 2018)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I thank the Minister of State. I know it is not under the direct remit of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs to deal with this, but what is happening is that preschool teachers, because the rates of pay are so low in Gaeltacht areas, are leaving to work as special needs assistants for the Department of Education and Skills. If this continues, we will have no preschool availability...

Seanad: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2018)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I support the amendment and I will add to Senator Mullen's remarks. The amendment seeks to ensure that unintended consequences are mitigated and that the legislation could not in some way be used for an unintended objective outside that which the legislation sets out to achieve. Technology is advancing and continually evolving in Ireland or elsewhere. The legislation before us will...

Seanad: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2018)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I understand where Senator Norris is coming from and I intend to get to the point where I will refer directly to the Bill but giving this context is important because it is setting the contextual picture on what could happen. We are trying to mitigate against unintended consequences which can come with all legislation. We are trying to support the Minister in mitigating against those. We...

Seanad: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2018)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I did not refer to any doctor. I referred to a private company.

Seanad: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2018)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: The transcripts will show that I referred to a private company named P4ML based in County Cork which, as I mentioned, campaigned to support the "Yes" campaign in the referendum and presumably there would be economic advantages for doing so.That is a fact.

Seanad: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2018)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Yes it is.

Seanad: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2018)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: It is an economic fact.

Seanad: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2018)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Dr. Malone -----

Seanad: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2018)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Technically, my point is correct. I listened back to the doctor. I have the utmost respect for all of these doctors. They have their own opinion and they are entitled to it, just as I am entitled to my opinion and the Minister is entitled to his. I know the Minister has a difficult job to do and this is not an easy piece of legislation to steer through both Houses. We all have an...

Seanad: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2018)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I thank the Cathaoirleach. I appreciate the opportunity. I appreciate that the Minister has spoken and I respect that. I want to attach a personal story to this issue before we conclude on the area of disabilities.