Results 15,641-15,660 of 45,563 for speaker:Simon Harris

Seanad: CervicalCheck Tribunal Bill 2019: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Jul 2019)

Simon Harris: I thought that the Senator would do so. That is now the agreed policy of the Oireachtas. We have come a long way from very different views, including within my own party, on how the delivery of healthcare should be provided through insurance models, Dutch models, etc., to an agreed platform now that is through universal healthcare. I regularly get misrepresented on this but that is...

Seanad: CervicalCheck Tribunal Bill 2019: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Jul 2019)

Simon Harris: I could not agree more with Senator Bacik. For people who have every reason to lose trust in parts of our health service or who, like Vicky, Lorraine, Stephen, Emma and so many others, have gone through bad experiences to still come out and promote screening is something for which I, in my role as Minister, am extremely grateful. It is also something that I know will help continue to save...

Seanad: CervicalCheck Tribunal Bill 2019: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Jul 2019)

Simon Harris: -----but he often believes he has better legal advice than me - perhaps he does - although I am very satisfied with the advice I receive.

Seanad: CervicalCheck Tribunal Bill 2019: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Jul 2019)

Simon Harris: The Senator's party has a proud tradition of attracting barristers, and many eminent ones. I sought legal advice from the Attorney General and the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel, OPC, and they confirmed to me that the current structure of the provision is very much in line with the drafting practice that takes place in these Houses and that it allows for either or both categories of...

Seanad: CervicalCheck Tribunal Bill 2019: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Jul 2019)

Simon Harris: It was ruled out of order.

Seanad: CervicalCheck Tribunal Bill 2019: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Jul 2019)

Simon Harris: It was ruled out of order not by me but by the Ceann Comhairle.

Seanad: CervicalCheck Tribunal Bill 2019: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Jul 2019)

Simon Harris: Senator Nash is correct. Deputy Kelly and I have had very long and intense discussions on this, for good reason. As the Cathaoirleach, and the Leas-Cheann Comhairle in the other House, made very clear, the Minister has no role in ruling amendments in or out of order, despite assertions to the contrary. There was a bizarre situation in the other House when an amendment was ruled to be in...

Seanad: CervicalCheck Tribunal Bill 2019: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Jul 2019)

Simon Harris: I understand absolutely what Senator Higgins is trying to do here. While I agree with what she is trying to do, I am not in a position to accept her amendment today. However, I would like to do more work on this whether through the legislation or through the tribunal setting out greater clarity on its own rules and procedures, which will not, of course, be a matter for me. One hopes the...

Seanad: CervicalCheck Tribunal Bill 2019: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Jul 2019)

Simon Harris: The Senator is making a reasonable point. It is certainly not the intention that that would be the case. The facilitator has a role to play. The point needs to be made that part of the restoration of trust meetings will be about both sides putting forward their viewpoint. Whereas women have been absolutely hurt and let down in this process, which is beyond question, there are also...

Seanad: CervicalCheck Tribunal Bill 2019: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Jul 2019)

Simon Harris: This Oireachtas has shown a great ability to hold me to account. I take questions on CervicalCheck very regularly in the Oireachtas, and rightly so, and I expect that to continue, as it should. I also expect that I will be sending the recommendations to the appropriate Oireachtas committee, which I instinctively presume will be the Committee on Health, although it could cross over to the...

Seanad: CervicalCheck Tribunal Bill 2019: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Jul 2019)

Simon Harris: I thank Seanad Éireann for its constructive consideration of the Bill and for providing the time, and using it efficiently, to get this measure passed. Everyone in this and the Lower House worked to try to reach a commitment to get the Bill passed before the Houses rose for the summer recess. It was an extraordinarily demanding timetable and it could not have been achieved without the...

Seanad: CervicalCheck Tribunal Bill 2019: Second Stage (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Harris: I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach and I am delighted to be in Seanad Éireann two days in a row. I am pleased to introduce the CervicalCheck Tribunal Bill 2019 to Seanad Éireann. At the outset, I acknowledge the sincere bi-partisan effort in the other House, which I know will be in this House too, to get this done so that we can provide an alternative pathway to court for women...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Vaccination Programme (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Harris: The National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) is an independent committee which makes recommendations to my Department on vaccination policy in Ireland. In 2012, NIAC recommended a low dose tetanus (T), diphtheria (d) and acellular pertussis (p) booster (Tdap) to provide protection for babies in the first few months of life. In September 2013, the HSE made Tdap vaccine available free...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Infectious Disease Epidemics (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Harris: My Department is currently developing a National Framework for the Control of Infectious Diseases, to be completed in 2020. The goal of the framework is to ensure a coordinated, strategic approach to maintaining and improving infectious disease control to meet ever-changing risks to society in Ireland, within the international context of infectious disease. The framework will address...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Infectious Diseases (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Harris: As this is a matter for the Health Service Executive, I have asked them to reply directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Public Health Policy (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Harris: An Implementation Oversight Group has been established by my Department (together with an Implementation Working Group established in the HSE) to oversee the development and implementation of a new model for the delivery of public health medicine in Ireland. I am informed that all work modules are on track and it is intended that the HSE will present a draft future model to my Department for...

Written Answers — Department of Health: HSE Data (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Harris: As this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Occupational Therapy Data (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Harris: As this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Speech and Language Therapy Data (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Harris: As this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.

Written Answers — Department of Health: HSE Data (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Harris: As this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.