Results 21,881-21,900 of 45,789 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Health: Cancer Screening Programmes (29 Nov 2018)

Simon Harris: As this is a service matter I have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Services (29 Nov 2018)

Simon Harris: The Donnai-Newman Report on the Review of Genetics Services in Ireland (2014) was commissioned by the HSE to recommend improvements in the governance, management and future development of the genetic services. In relation to the matter of the publication of this report, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Services (29 Nov 2018)

Simon Harris: The HSE National Service Plan 2018 includes a commitment to commence development of the National Genetics and Genomic Network. 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: Cancer Services Funding (29 Nov 2018)

Simon Harris: In parallel with the Rapid Access Clinic for Symptomatic Breast Disease in St James's Hospital, a Familial Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Service has evolved to provide a clinical service to women who are considered to be at higher than average risk of developing cancer in their lifetime. Due to increased referral rates to the symptomatic breast disease clinic, as well as to the 'family risk'...

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

Simon Harris: To be clear, the draft Bill I published in March, before the referendum, did not contain a reference to "examined". I want the Deputy to know that, from a policy perspective, I did not deem it to be necessary. From a legal perspective, and based on significant and deep consultations with the Office of the Attorney General, there was a very strong view that it provided a degree of legal...

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

Simon Harris: I am not in a position to accept the amendments. They propose to delete lines in sections 11 and 13, which require an obstetrician to carry out the termination of the pregnancy concerned or, alternatively, propose to allow the certifying obstetrician to make arrangements for the carrying out of the termination of pregnancy. Sections 11 and 13 both set out four steps which must be carried...

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

Simon Harris: I thank colleagues for their contributions. For Deputy Donnelly, I confirm that his understanding in respect of viability is correct. We discussed this on Committee Stage and doctors have already told us all through the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and through the Oireachtas special committee that they do not need this to be in law as it is the practice. However, we have put it in...

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

Simon Harris: Deputy Byrne and others are right that we have to be careful that none of us second-guesses the Irish people. One of the reasons we published a general scheme, and one of the reasons many Deputies in the House called on me to do so, was so we would not be in this position after the referendum, whereby we would all look into our hearts and decide what the Irish people thought. We published...

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...

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: The grouping was not my decision.