Results 21,501-21,520 of 46,014 for speaker:Simon Harris

Seanad: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Report and Final Stages (13 Dec 2018)

Simon Harris: I have heard from the Attorney General and the chief medical officer and from our clinical adviser, Dr. Peter Boylan, that their preference is for the wording to remain as it is, legally and clinically. Several Senators had an opportunity to hear from clinicians yesterday in that regard too. I really welcome Senator Higgins's amendment, not because I am in a position to support it but for...

Seanad: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Report and Final Stages (13 Dec 2018)

Simon Harris: I do not have much to add but I will make some quick points. I understand the value of teasing out, as we did in the other House, what is harm, serious harm and risk. My first point is similar to Senator Bacik's. This wording has not changed since the publication of the draft wording and this is very much the framework on which we campaigned. As the Senators know, it is something I am...

Seanad: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Report and Final Stages (13 Dec 2018)

Simon Harris: I provided a briefing yesterday for Senators through the Seanad Office. A number of the Senators attended. There was an opportunity to hear from the Chief Medical Officer, from Dr. Peter Boylan, former chairman of the Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, and from Dr. Mark Murphy, a general practitioner involved in the rolling out of the service. Explained very clearly at the...

Seanad: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Report and Final Stages (13 Dec 2018)

Simon Harris: That is a grotesque comment.

Seanad: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Report and Final Stages (13 Dec 2018)

Simon Harris: No.

Seanad: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Report and Final Stages (13 Dec 2018)

Simon Harris: I reiterate that I am here all day. I might even be here all night. I am ready to face any charges that people might wish to level at me. I do not wish to see the names of members of my staff dragged onto the record of the House. I do not want to see points made about them when they are not in a position to defend themselves. I am very lucky with the people I have working with me....

Seanad: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Report and Final Stages (13 Dec 2018)

Simon Harris: In such circumstances, vulnerable women, in particular, will end up continuing to have to use illegal abortion pills that are purchased online, or indeed continuing to travel. If we want people to be able to access new services that are safe and legal, it makes sense to make those services available on a universal basis. Those of us who are in favour of caring for women in our own country...

Seanad: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Report and Final Stages (13 Dec 2018)

Simon Harris: It is a bizarre way of operating. I am sure some of the €12 million that has been mentioned will be spent on some of the things that Senators Mullen and Ó Domhnaill do not seem to have a problem with. I acknowledge that they do not have a problem with providing funding where there is a risk to a woman's life. That is the first point. The second point I would make is that...

Seanad: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Report and Final Stages (13 Dec 2018)

Simon Harris: It is not in the legislation.

Seanad: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Report and Final Stages (13 Dec 2018)

Simon Harris: It would not be normal.

Seanad: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Report and Final Stages (13 Dec 2018)

Simon Harris: As I said, it would not be normal.

Seanad: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Report and Final Stages (13 Dec 2018)

Simon Harris: That is incorrect.

Seanad: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Report and Final Stages (13 Dec 2018)

Simon Harris: It is provided for in the Health Act 2007.

Seanad: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Report and Final Stages (13 Dec 2018)

Simon Harris: It is factually incorrect.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Nursing Staff Provision (13 Dec 2018)

Simon Harris: As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists Data (13 Dec 2018)

Simon Harris: Improving access to hospital treatment is a key priority for Government. This year has seen ongoing improvements with the number of patients waiting for inpatient and daycase procedures (IPDC), now at 72,001 from the peak of 86,100 in July 2017. This represents a 16% reduction in the overall number of patients waiting for an inpatient or day case procedure. The number of patients...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Parental Leave (13 Dec 2018)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: Charitable and Voluntary Organisations (13 Dec 2018)

Simon Harris: The Independent Review Group established to examine the role of voluntary organisations in health and personal social services began its deliberations in September 2017.   The Group’s terms of reference provided for: An examination of current arrangements across the health and social care sector; Consideration of issues currently arising, and those likely to arise in the future;...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointments Status (13 Dec 2018)

Simon Harris: Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual. The National...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists Data (13 Dec 2018)

Simon Harris: In relation to the data requested, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.