Results 22,381-22,400 of 45,789 for speaker:Simon Harris

Select Committee on Health: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 Nov 2018)

Simon Harris: Yes, for the final time. As Deputy Coppinger knows because she has been here, I have answered all of the questions already.

Select Committee on Health: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 Nov 2018)

Simon Harris: Conscientious objection is allowed for in section 23. The issues that the Deputies are suggesting have been voted against already. Of course, we have not voted against them but against the amendments as proposed because we are satisfied that the protections and clarity are already in the legislation. This is no different to the conscientious objection that already exists. I have explained...

Select Committee on Health: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 Nov 2018)

Simon Harris: I am here until 6.30 p.m. or I can go until 5.45 p.m. and then take a break.

Select Committee on Health: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 Nov 2018)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Donnelly for raising the matter. It is absolutely the intention that termination of pregnancy services will be free both in the community and in the hospital setting. The amendments to the Health Act 1970 mirror the provisions of that Act as they relate to services for attendance to the health of women in respect of motherhood. Thus, women in receipt of services in...

Select Committee on Health: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 Nov 2018)

Simon Harris: Yes, absolutely.

Select Committee on Health: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 Nov 2018)

Simon Harris: Yes.

Select Committee on Health: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 Nov 2018)

Simon Harris: The point made by Deputy Coppinger is a good one. I can argue, technically, as to whether this should be debated as part of this legislation, but Deputy Donnelly putting these amendments down is important. All of us here are concerned, as Deputy Donnelly correctly said, about reducing crisis pregnancies. Commitments, or certainly, recommendations were given in the all-party committee...

Select Committee on Health: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 Nov 2018)

Simon Harris: It is useful to clarify the position and I do not mean this in any way other than to be constructive. Obviously, in amending this legislation, we all want to get it right. Therefore, because of the office I hold, my ability to bring forward amendments will mean that I can have my amendments robustly legally scrutinised in a way that Deputies may not be in a position to do. I hope that we...

Select Committee on Health: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 Nov 2018)

Simon Harris: I welcome the fact that the Deputy raised the issue because the relevant amendment was ruled out of order, which precluded me from saying what I would like to say.

Select Committee on Health: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 Nov 2018)

Simon Harris: To be very clear, women from Northern Ireland will be able to access services in the Republic of Ireland. Of that, there is no doubt. We are not leaving women from the North behind in respect of this. Until the North gets around to rectifying the inequalities in that jurisdiction, we will make sure women in Northern Ireland can access health services here. As the Deputy is aware, there is...

Select Committee on Health: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 Nov 2018)

Simon Harris: I see no difficulty if the group wishes to send a representative. Deputy Fitzpatrick may wish to liaise with my office.

Select Committee on Health: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 Nov 2018)

Simon Harris: I would like to engage with the committee membership early next week and revert with a date. I would like to take Report Stage very soon this month.

Select Committee on Health: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 Nov 2018)

Simon Harris: Thank you, Chairman.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Tobacco Control Measures (8 Nov 2018)

Simon Harris: As responsibility for the enforcement of tobacco control measures rests with the Health Service Executive (HSE), this PQ is being referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Tobacco Control Measures (8 Nov 2018)

Simon Harris: As funding is allocated by the Health Service Executive on tobacco cessation measures this PQ is being referred out to the HSE for direct reply.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Aids and Appliances Applications (8 Nov 2018)

Simon Harris: As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Departmental Contracts Data (8 Nov 2018)

Simon Harris: The Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of health infrastructure projects. Appendix 4 of the HSE's National Service Plan outlines the capital projects due to be completed and operational each year. The full list of projects for 2018 is published in the 2018 National Service Plan, which is available on the HSE website at:

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (8 Nov 2018)

Simon Harris: Reducing waiting time for patients for hospital operations and procedures is a key priority for the Government. This year has seen ongoing improvements with the number of patients waiting for inpatient and daycase procedures (IPDC), now at 72,700 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...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Emergency Departments Waiting Times (8 Nov 2018)

Simon Harris: I wish to acknowledge the distress overcrowded EDs cause to patients, their families and front-line staff working in very challenging working conditions in hospitals throughout the country. This Government remains committed to tackling overcrowding in EDs and improving access to health services. My Department is working with the HSE to ensure the most effective response to the winter...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Staff Data (8 Nov 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.