Results 281-300 of 49,836 for speaker:Stephen Donnelly

Written Answers — Department of Health: Primary Care Centres (22 Jan 2025)

Stephen Donnelly: As the Health Service Executive (HSE) holds responsibility for the provision, along with the maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Emergency Departments (22 Jan 2025)

Stephen Donnelly: As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the deputy directly.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Emergency Departments (22 Jan 2025)

Stephen Donnelly: As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the deputy directly.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Disability Services (22 Jan 2025)

Stephen Donnelly: As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Abortion Services (22 Jan 2025)

Stephen Donnelly: The recommendations of the Independent Review of the Operation of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 are focused on increasing access to services. Significant progress has already been made in this regard, for instance six additional hospitals started providing termination services in 2023, an increase of 55%. Termination services in early pregnancy (up to 12...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Departmental Contracts (22 Jan 2025)

Stephen Donnelly: My Department only pays suppliers on production of a valid tax clearance certificate. My Department does not hold information as to the tax residency of suppliers as this is a matter for the Revenue Commissioners.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Departmental Contracts (22 Jan 2025)

Stephen Donnelly: My Department has issued no contracts to the detailed companies in the last 10 years.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointments Status (22 Jan 2025)

Stephen Donnelly: 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. In relation to...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Healthcare Policy (22 Jan 2025)

Stephen Donnelly: As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage (7 Nov 2024)

Stephen Donnelly: The Dáil is obviously wrapping up today. This will be my last legislative act in this Dáil term, and it is a very positive one for us to be finishing on, which is essentially aimed at moving the age, from 18 to 21, at which cigarettes or tobacco is sold to a consumer. Ireland led the way with the workplace smoking ban some years ago and we will be leading the way on this as well....

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage (7 Nov 2024)

Stephen Donnelly: Maybe I will not, as it will take more than 30 seconds and colleagues have it. What I will say, if the Acting Chair will indulge me for maybe 60 seconds, is that this Bill is essentially a public safety Bill that aligns with many of the protections we are trying to put in place for young people. We have already brought in vaping legislation and are bringing in more. We are taking a very...

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage (7 Nov 2024)

Stephen Donnelly: I thank colleagues for their contributions. Rather than giving a set-piece speech, I will address the various points that were made. With regard to retailers, I accept that we will have two separate ages, namely, 18 and 21, just like we did when, as was previously the case, cigarettes could be sold to 16-year-olds at the same time the legal age to purchase alcohol was 18. For many years,...

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage (7 Nov 2024)

Stephen Donnelly: Nonetheless, we consulted to see whether we could do it.

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage (7 Nov 2024)

Stephen Donnelly: The new government in New Zealand pulled back from it. It withdrew the proposal. A former Prime Minister in the UK said the Government there was going to do the same but we have not had any indication from the Labour Party Government as to whether it will do it. I have been in discussions on the issue with my counterpart in Northern Ireland. It is easier in terms of enforcement when...

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage (7 Nov 2024)

Stephen Donnelly: The advice I have from the officials is that this is how it is used in other legislation and that it works very well. I assure Senator McDowell that there was extensive consultation back and forth with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel on this to make sure we had it right. It is very confident that it is right. I have confirmation that it is the law at present. This is how it is...

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage (7 Nov 2024)

Stephen Donnelly: Everybody seems to be happy with it. I am sure it was not Senator McDowell's advice when he served as Attorney General.

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage (7 Nov 2024)

Stephen Donnelly: If we need to amend the legislation we will do so. The advice we have is that the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel is confident it is correct.

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage (7 Nov 2024)

Stephen Donnelly: We are here to listen.

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage (7 Nov 2024)

Stephen Donnelly: I, the officials and the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel are confident the current approach is correct and is legally robust. I thank colleagues for their support. I appreciate that there are always challenges when we bring these measures in, as there should and must be. Ultimately, we are speaking about saving many lives. We are speaking about significantly reducing the number of...

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee and Remaining Stages (7 Nov 2024)

Stephen Donnelly: I thank Senator McDowell for bringing this to our attention. In order to ensure there is no concern among Senators that the concerns raised will come to pass, I will read from section 45 of the Public Health (Tobacco) Act 2002, which is where this comes from. The section in question provides for exactly the same offence in the case of a person under the age of 18. Section 45(1) states: ...