Results 25,841-25,860 of 49,836 for speaker:Stephen Donnelly

Health (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (2 Dec 2021)

Stephen Donnelly: I beg your pardon. Yes, we should. It is late. I will not accept the amendment, but for the right reasons. What we want to achieve will be covered in the regulations. As far as I am concerned, the rationale is laid out in the regulations and the legislation, which relates to an imperative, time-sensitive medical reason. A termination of pregnancy absolutely qualifies, unambiguously. We...

Health (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (2 Dec 2021)

Stephen Donnelly: I move amendment No. 3: In page 5, line 19, to delete “section 38S(1)(g)(i)” and substitute “section 38S(1)(j)(i)”. These are technical amendments arising from a drafting error in the Bill. They are very minor and refer to drafting matters and if any Member would like me to go into a detailed note, I have one, but these are essentially just technical amendments.

Health (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (2 Dec 2021)

Stephen Donnelly: I move amendment No. 4: In page 6, line 37, to delete “subsection (6)” and substitute “subsection (7)”.

Health (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (2 Dec 2021)

Stephen Donnelly: I thank colleagues for their contributions. I will speak directly to the amendments in a moment, but with the Ceann Comhairle's indulgence, I might first address the various points that have been made, given that there has been a useful broader discussion. I will start with Deputy Boyd Barrett. I am delighted to hear that he is all ears. I am not surprised that he is opposing the...

Health (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (2 Dec 2021)

Stephen Donnelly: Maybe not all. I stand to be corrected on that. As is his right, the Deputy advocated articulately for a zero Covid approach. He also advocated for mandatory hotel quarantining for everyone regardless of whether there was any risk or rationale for doing so. It would not have been constitutional as a public health measure. It was interesting to hear Deputy Paul Murphy speak about the need...

Health (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (2 Dec 2021)

Stephen Donnelly: Yes. Equality of treatment. Everything for everyone regardless of whether there was a rationale to deprive them of their liberties.

Health (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (2 Dec 2021)

Stephen Donnelly: That is what equality of treatment would have achieved and is what the Deputy advocated for.

Health (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (2 Dec 2021)

Stephen Donnelly: I was curious to see what reason he would give for not supporting the Bill this time, given that it seems to be very much in line with what he advocated for in the past, albeit a much more modest version. However, the Deputy is opposing it. Members should remember that we are not here to introduce mandatory hotel quarantine. We are here because we have very serious public health advice in...

Health (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill 2021: Second Stage (2 Dec 2021)

Stephen Donnelly: I thank Deputies for their contributions to this morning's very productive debate. I acknowledge the very broad support across the House for the Bill while acknowledging there are Deputies who will not be supporting it for the reasons they have outlined. It was always going to be the case that any extension to legislation providing for mandatory quarantine or its reintroduction would only...

Health (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill 2021: Second Stage (2 Dec 2021)

Stephen Donnelly: -----but in the short time I have I will try to address some of the issues. One that Deputy Cullinane raised, which I think he is mentioning now, is incoming testing protocols. I do not think that is related to this Bill but to regulations coming in for broader testing. The short answer is the PCR test applies for those who are unvaccinated. The antigen test for 48 hours applies to those...

Health (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill 2021: Second Stage (2 Dec 2021)

Stephen Donnelly: To clarify out of respect for the Deputy, we are discussing exactly the point that he has raised so that we can give him the best possible answer.

Health (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill 2021: Second Stage (2 Dec 2021)

Stephen Donnelly: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am here to today to address the House on the Health (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill 2021. The purpose of the Bill is to strengthen Ireland's ability to respond to the ongoing and emerging threat to public health from Covid-19 and specifically, as colleagues will be aware, the new Omicron variant that has emerged. The Bill is being introduced in...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Assisted Decision-Making (2 Dec 2021)

Stephen Donnelly: The Department of Health strongly supports the implementation of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 which aims to ensure person-centred human rights and equality in decision-making, in line with best international standards. Policy responsibility at Departmental level rests in the main with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.  ...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (2 Dec 2021)

Stephen Donnelly: From the outset of the pandemic, great focus has been placed by the health services on encouraging people to come forward. It is important that anyone with concerns about cancer visit their GP, who will arrange appropriate follow-up care. Our cancer diagnostic and treatment services are open, and our healthcare staff will provide any necessary care.  The number of people coming forward...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Tests (2 Dec 2021)

Stephen Donnelly: As the Deputy will be aware a COVID-19 pass, based on certification of vaccination or recovery, is required for indoor hospitality, cinemas, theatres and events. The current high level of COVID-19 infection and the dominance of the significantly more transmissible Delta variant poses a very substantial threat, particularly to those who are not fully protected through vaccination. Public...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Commissions of Investigation (2 Dec 2021)

Stephen Donnelly: The Commission of Investigation (Certain matters relative to a disability service in the South East and related matters) (“The Farrelly Commission”) ongoing at present, commenced work on 15 May 2017.  The Commission was established to investigate the care and protection of “Grace” (pseudonym) and others in a former foster home in the South East, which has been...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Abortion Services (2 Dec 2021)

Stephen Donnelly: As the Deputy’s question relates to a service area, I have referred this question to the HSE for direct response.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Departmental Reviews (2 Dec 2021)

Stephen Donnelly: Ireland’s National Carers' Strategy is a cross-departmental strategy, designed around a core vision which recognises and respects carers as key care partners who are supported to maintain their own health and well-being, care with confidence and who are empowered to participate as fully as possible in economic and social life.  Under the Strategy, a range of measures have been...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (2 Dec 2021)

Stephen Donnelly: The provision of additional elective care delivery capability in Cork, Galway, and Dublin is a stated Government policy objective. The Elective Hospitals Oversight Group, under the joint governance of the HSE, Department of Health and Sláintecare, is guiding the development of the elective hospitals. The development of three elective hospitals will require significant infrastructural...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (2 Dec 2021)

Stephen Donnelly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 176 and 177 together. These two written parliamentary questions are duplicates of two Oral PQs 59505/21 and 59506/21 to be answered by me tomorrow. Following contact from officials in my Department, the Deputy's office has indicated that he is happy to receive the substantive answers by way of Oral PQs tomorrow.