Results 14,641-14,660 of 24,635 for speaker:Mary Harney

Medical Practitioners Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (28 Mar 2007)

Mary Harney: I agree with the Deputy that the House is cold.

Medical Practitioners Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (28 Mar 2007)

Mary Harney: It is down to the Green Party trying to conserve energy.

Medical Practitioners Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (28 Mar 2007)

Mary Harney: The matter to which the amendment refers is covered.

Medical Practitioners Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (28 Mar 2007)

Mary Harney: I move amendment No. 51: In page 49, line 12, to delete "A" and substitute "Subject to subsections (2) and (7), a". I understand why Deputy Twomey has concerns in respect of this provision. However, it is included for the purpose of correctly transposing certain provisions of Directive 2005/36/EC, which relates to the provision of services on a temporary and occasional basis by visiting...

Medical Practitioners Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (28 Mar 2007)

Mary Harney: I accept the Deputy's point but it is difficult to rule things in or out. I am advised that if a complaint is not related to medical practice, the preliminary hearings committee will be able to dispose of the matter very quickly.

Medical Practitioners Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (28 Mar 2007)

Mary Harney: Section 57 specifies that the grounds for a complaint to be made must relate to professional misconduct, poor professional performance, a relevant medical disability, a contravention of a provision of the legislation or a conviction in the State for an offence triable on indictment, which would be a serious matter. It is not, therefore, possible to make a complaint in respect of a trivial...

Medical Practitioners Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (28 Mar 2007)

Mary Harney: We took specific advice on this matter, the substance of which was that we should not change the provision. I agree with what the Deputy is saying and we do not want the Medical Council to deal with planning issues — it will not do so — or issues that have nothing to do with a doctor's fitness to practice. The council is not supposed to investigate any other matters even though, I am...

Medical Practitioners Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (28 Mar 2007)

Mary Harney: What the Deputy is seeking to achieve is covered in sections 59(3)(a) and (b), which give autonomy to the committee and thus provide greater flexibility because it can prescribe the form in which a complaint should be made etc. We are trying to strike a balance between being fair to doctors, the persons against whom complaints are made and also to complainants. Section 107(2)(a) provides...

Medical Practitioners Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (28 Mar 2007)

Mary Harney: I move amendment No. 55: In page 55, between lines 22 and 23, to insert the following: "(9) A complaint is a protected disclosure under the Health Act 2004 (as amended by the Health Act 2007).".

Medical Practitioners Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (28 Mar 2007)

Mary Harney: If it is helpful, this is covered in section 61(1)(c).

Medical Practitioners Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (28 Mar 2007)

Mary Harney: In my amendment, I have taken on board a large part of the Deputy's intent here by requiring that the council, after consulting with the Fitness to Practise Committee, may publish a transcript of proceedings. The transcript may exclude identifying information of the parties to the proceedings. This is where the proceedings are held in private, and for public interest reasons.

Medical Practitioners Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (28 Mar 2007)

Mary Harney: This is where no penalty or sanction is imposed, and the right of appeal and censure. As I stated on Committee Stage, this is being adjudicated on in the courts. The legal advice from the Attorney General's office, and also from the Medical Council, is that we should await the determination of the court before we change the law here.

Medical Practitioners Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (28 Mar 2007)

Mary Harney: If it was found that legislation was necessary, we would have to amend this legislation. That will probably not happen for quite some time.

Medical Practitioners Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (28 Mar 2007)

Mary Harney: I am referring to the decision of the court. The case is being heard in June. It is a question of whether a determination will be made in June or a couple of months later. It could be a reserved judgment. I am advised that depending on the decision, it could have implications for much other legislation as well.

Medical Practitioners Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (28 Mar 2007)

Mary Harney: This is the ex parte application.

Medical Practitioners Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (28 Mar 2007)

Mary Harney: I move amendment No. 61: In page 71, to delete lines 15 to 21 and substitute the following: 85.—The Council shall, if satisfied that it is in the public interest to do so— (a) advise the public when— (i) any measure referred to in section 84(1) takes effect under this Part in respect of a medical practitioner, (ii) any measure referred to in section 84(2) in respect of a medical...

Medical Practitioners Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (28 Mar 2007)

Mary Harney: I move amendment No. 64: In page 73, lines 18 and 19, to delete all words from and including "with" in line 18 down to and including "Minister" where it firstly occurs in line 19 and substitute "after it". I propose an amendment in lieu of Deputy Twomey's amendment No. 65 to section 88(2)(a). I am satisfied there is no particular requirement for the council to obtain the consent of the...

Medical Practitioners Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (28 Mar 2007)

Mary Harney: I move amendment No. 68: In page 80, lines 24 and 25, after "practitioners" to insert the following: "pursuant to a professional competence scheme applicable to the practitioners concerned". I gave a commitment to Deputies McManus and Twomey that I would introduce amendments on Report Stage linking section 91, in which the Medical Council is required to establish a professional competence...

Medical Practitioners Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (28 Mar 2007)

Mary Harney: I move amendment No. 69: In page 80, line 28, after "practitioners" to insert the following: "pursuant to a professional competence scheme applicable to the practitioners concerned".

Medical Practitioners Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (28 Mar 2007)

Mary Harney: In the Bill, as published, there was a reference to the HSE facilitating "to the extent practicable", and the Medical Council made the point of asking what that meant, for instance, if it meant they can use resources. We got rid of that for the reason Deputy Twomey outlined. The cost of competence assurance has not been determined yet. We know the cost to the Medical Council of...