Results 19,681-19,700 of 46,095 for speaker:Simon Harris

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Discussion (9 May 2018)

Simon Harris: I did not interrupt the Senator. I am a proponent of the changes. I passionately believe we need to repeal the eighth amendment but so, too, does the leader and the health spokesperson of Sinn Féin, the leader and the health spokesperson of Fianna Fáil, the leader and the health spokesperson of Labour, Deputy Coppinger, my colleagues here, Deputy O'Connell and Deputy Durkan, and,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Discussion (9 May 2018)

Simon Harris: The phraseology "killing of children" really is-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Discussion (9 May 2018)

Simon Harris: No.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Discussion (9 May 2018)

Simon Harris: There is nobody-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Discussion (9 May 2018)

Simon Harris: On the issue of debates, we are not scheduling one here and now. This is the Oireachtas health committee, but I look forward to debating and participating fully in the campaign. I completely disassociate myself from the Senator's language regarding killing babies. This is about accepting a reality that Irish women face. Nine women will leave our country today to have a termination. At...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Discussion (9 May 2018)

Simon Harris: That is what I believe as well. I will campaign vigorously with colleagues on a cross-party basis and with civil society to bring that about. I hope those who disagree with my position will also campaign and put their views forward but will not put pictures of miscarried babies with my image around my office and near my house with a view to intimidating and upsetting my family, my friends...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Discussion (9 May 2018)

Simon Harris: Regarding mandatory open disclosure, my understanding is that it is a commitment in the programme for Government. I have always been in support of mandatory disclosure since becoming Minister for Health and taking up this responsibility. I would have publicly communicated that to Deputy Clare Daly last November, but the suite of measures was always to give a legal underpinning to voluntary...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Discussion (9 May 2018)

Simon Harris: It is fair criticism of the political system as a whole that this has not been in place before now. I will work with the Senator and everybody else to try to get this law passed as quickly as possible.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Discussion (9 May 2018)

Simon Harris: I am sure the Deputy did not mean it like this but the only reason the two female members of our delegation have not spoken is because none of the questions has been directed to community services or acute hospitals. Were they, they would be the people best placed and most able to answer the questions here. I just wanted to acknowledge that. On the issue of scoliosis, can I send the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Discussion (9 May 2018)

Simon Harris: I will try to go through the questions very quickly and we can come back on further detail. To start from the last question, the blood sample issue will be addressed as part of the GP contract. There needs to be a consistent approach to this and it needs to be fixed. On the issue of legal cases, reporting to Ministers, the State Claims Agency, SCA, and reporting into Departments there will...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Discussion (9 May 2018)

Simon Harris: Yes I am.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Discussion (9 May 2018)

Simon Harris: Yes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Discussion (9 May 2018)

Simon Harris: I will take the national review first. It is independent and the Deputy would rightly criticise me if it was not. I will, though, convey to the professor the need for an update that I can furnish to the Deputy and other representatives about concrete measures for the public consultation. My understanding is that it will begin next month and the means by which his constituents and others can...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Discussion (9 May 2018)

Simon Harris: Does that not tell us something? If we are to recruit more people into the health service based on an independent clinical report, that is what we should follow. We have an independent report done by an eminent professor. The people of the south east do not agree with it in respect of the 24-7 provision but to decouple that issue, he referred to the existing cath lab having better...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Discussion (9 May 2018)

Simon Harris: I will give the Deputy three reasons. First, other parts of the country do not have cath lab facilities even of the standard in Waterford. If we establish a modular lab in Waterford, what about other parts of the country that have longer waiting lists? How can we tell people in the north west that they should wait until the national review has been completed but people in the south east...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Discussion (9 May 2018)

Simon Harris: The Deputy knows I have not. I have just explained why not.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Discussion (9 May 2018)

Simon Harris: The Deputy is conflating two issues. The criticism would be valid if I had done nothing in the 20 months, and if Professor Herity had reported and the report gathered dust on a shelf. That is not what has happened.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Discussion (9 May 2018)

Simon Harris: It has resulted in a national review, which all representatives in the south east have bought into on a cross-party basis, and a mobile lab being deployed and staying much longer than was intended due to the recruitment challenges. It is now resulting in me bottoming out the issue of a modular lab. I understand and share the frustrations of the people of the south east. I will meet...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Discussion (9 May 2018)

Simon Harris: I can imagine. The Chairman has been patient.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Discussion (9 May 2018)

Simon Harris: It is a fair point and I detect the Chairman's palpable frustration on this. We have been extraordinarily preoccupied with a live situation for the past few weeks regarding CervicalCheck but it is still my intention to bring forward the draft implementation plan, which I have shared with the Departments of Public Expenditure and Reform and Taoiseach and for which I need cross-Government...