Results 3,121-3,140 of 3,336 for speaker:Kate O'Connell

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Cannabis for Medicinal Use Regulation Bill 2016: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Apr 2017)

Kate O'Connell: Could the witnesses refer to the fact that we are always learning and the yellow card system? There is a reference to the changes for codeine in the context of lactating mothers and the shifting of the age for aspirin. It is important to get the message out there that just because something grows in a field, it does not mean it is okay. I would like the witnesses to briefly outline how we...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Cannabis for Medicinal Use Regulation Bill 2016: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Apr 2017)

Kate O'Connell: I want to bring up a point about experts and people who would have expertise in the area of cannabis. The argument that has been put forward would, to my mind, suggest that any novel drug would have such issues. Nobody has expertise because it did not exist before. Consider this for any new product, for example, in yesterday's great announcement with Orkambi. There was nobody in the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Cannabis for Medicinal Use Regulation Bill 2016: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Apr 2017)

Kate O'Connell: I asked if the PSI could refer to the pharmacologist-pharmacist argument and the matter of GPs. There are questions there. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien spoke about there being two processes, and I agree with him on that. This is about the two processes. My concern is on medicinal matters. How can we help people? What is the best way to expedite this process for people who require treatment?...

Report of the Joint Committee on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services: Motion (12 Apr 2017)

Kate O'Connell: First, I pay tribute to my colleagues on the water committee. It was a tough task and we all embraced it. I believe we have reached a solution of sorts. Initially, I wish to correct the statement made by Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett, who insists on making the false assertion that there are no water charges in Scotland. Scottish people pay an average of €400 per year in water...

Topical Issue Debate: Vaccination Programme (5 Apr 2017)

Kate O'Connell: The Minister of State's reply was reassuring, although I am concerned that the vaccination rate stands at 92%. We will be in serious trouble if it falls much further. Andrew Wakefield, a discredited doctor, is taking part in a roadshow that will soon visit this country. It is important that a message is sent to parents that the study carried out by this individual was completely...

Topical Issue Debate: Vaccination Programme (5 Apr 2017)

Kate O'Connell: I consider this a very important issue in light of the World Health Organization's warning last week about the drop in MMR vaccination rates across Europe and large outbreaks of measles happening across the Continent. The greatest numbers are being seen in Italy and Romania. In light of Brexit, it is important to point out that viruses are not in any way aware of borders. It is important...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Cannabis for Medicinal Use Regulation Bill 2016: Discussion (5 Apr 2017)

Kate O'Connell: I could spend hours discussing this today. My major problem with this is the word "medicinal" in the sense that it is a different argument to decriminalisation or rescheduling of drugs. I want to disclose at the outset that I am a community pharmacist and am registered with the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland and, as such, have ethical responsibilities in that regard. I will try to be...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Cannabis for Medicinal Use Regulation Bill 2016: Discussion (5 Apr 2017)

Kate O'Connell: -----I endured about ten days of vile abuse on social media as a result.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Cannabis for Medicinal Use Regulation Bill 2016: Discussion (5 Apr 2017)

Kate O'Connell: The fact is, the HPRA is there to safeguard the health of the people. Someone said on social media that cannabis is a natural product and thalidomide was created in a lab. The simple fact is that the Health Products Regulatory Authority, HPRA, applies very strict rules and regulations on drugs licensing to safeguard the population. When Members of the Oireachtas try to circumvent the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Cannabis for Medicinal Use Regulation Bill 2016: Discussion (5 Apr 2017)

Kate O'Connell: If I may, the Deputy has made three points.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Cannabis for Medicinal Use Regulation Bill 2016: Discussion (5 Apr 2017)

Kate O'Connell: The Deputy has been ruled out of order.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Cannabis for Medicinal Use Regulation Bill 2016: Discussion (5 Apr 2017)

Kate O'Connell: I approach the Bill from a background of being a qualified pharmacist with 12 years' experience. When the Deputy refers to a "huge body of evidence", he means his evidence.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Cannabis for Medicinal Use Regulation Bill 2016: Discussion (5 Apr 2017)

Kate O'Connell: I have read everything on this issue which I have studied for years. Deputy Kenny made a sweeping statement in referring to a huge body of evidence. He is speaking of his evidence.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Cannabis for Medicinal Use Regulation Bill 2016: Discussion (5 Apr 2017)

Kate O'Connell: The Health Products Regulatory Authority is an internationally respected agency which is used to regulate every cream and tablet sold, prescribed or dispensed here. I take serious offence at the Deputy's suggestion that I should go to the audio-visual room tomorrow to be enlightened. There is no darkness on this issue, on which I am fully aware of the position. It is a major issue when an...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Cannabis for Medicinal Use Regulation Bill 2016: Discussion (5 Apr 2017)

Kate O'Connell: I am fully aware of all the evidence that Professor Finn is quoting. Will Professor Finn enlighten us on where the breakdown is between what he is speaking to and the HPRA? Professor Finn maintains the HPRA is not fit for purpose. Why does he believe, in his professional opinion, there is a barrier with respect to the HPRA? I have my own views but I am keen to hear from Professor Finn...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Cannabis for Medicinal Use Regulation Bill 2016: Discussion (5 Apr 2017)

Kate O'Connell: Why would the evidence he is giving suggest that? What is the problem? What is the roadblock?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Cannabis for Medicinal Use Regulation Bill 2016: Discussion (5 Apr 2017)

Kate O'Connell: Professor Finn is a pharmacologist. Is it true to say that the lack of clear pharmacological pathways for the action of cannabis could be holding it back? Normally, a standard drug interacts with a receptor and elicits an effect. Where we have something for which we cannot define the pathway, we could have potentially unintended side effects. I am putting the question to Professor Finn as...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Cannabis for Medicinal Use Regulation Bill 2016: Discussion (5 Apr 2017)

Kate O'Connell: Let us be very clear. I want that question answered as a pharmacologist. What I am getting at is the pharmacological pathway being undefined.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Cannabis for Medicinal Use Regulation Bill 2016: Discussion (5 Apr 2017)

Kate O'Connell: We have to be honest to the committee. The pharmacologist has to be honest here and say that-----

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Brexit Issues (28 Mar 2017)

Kate O'Connell: 586. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the specific actions that have been undertaken by any and all LEOs to assist local enterprises cope with the impact of Brexit, in tabular form. [15125/17]