Results 1,861-1,880 of 8,595 for speaker:Seán Crowe
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: General Scheme of the Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services (Safe Access Zones)) Bill 2022: Discussion (19 Oct 2022)
Seán Crowe: We have sought a submission from An Garda Síochána and we hope it will arrive shortly.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: General Scheme of the Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services (Safe Access Zones)) Bill 2022: Discussion (19 Oct 2022)
Seán Crowe: I am told there are issues of concern. I have not seen the letter. I am told there are issues of concern with the letter and it was run by the OPLA, as is normal practice if there are concerns.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: General Scheme of the Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services (Safe Access Zones)) Bill 2022: Discussion (19 Oct 2022)
Seán Crowe: That is the normal practice if there are any concerns.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: General Scheme of the Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services (Safe Access Zones)) Bill 2022: Discussion (19 Oct 2022)
Seán Crowe: The Deputy has one and a half minutes.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: General Scheme of the Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services (Safe Access Zones)) Bill 2022: Discussion (19 Oct 2022)
Seán Crowe: Deputy Bríd Smith is very welcome.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: General Scheme of the Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services (Safe Access Zones)) Bill 2022: Discussion (19 Oct 2022)
Seán Crowe: Before the Senator continues, can she confirm she is on the precincts of Leinster House?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: General Scheme of the Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services (Safe Access Zones)) Bill 2022: Discussion (19 Oct 2022)
Seán Crowe: I thank the Senator.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: General Scheme of the Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services (Safe Access Zones)) Bill 2022: Discussion (19 Oct 2022)
Seán Crowe: Before we have another round of questions, I have some queries. Regarding medical staff having immunity, I understand there is blanket immunity for medical professionals. Is that correct?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: General Scheme of the Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services (Safe Access Zones)) Bill 2022: Discussion (19 Oct 2022)
Seán Crowe: I am trying to tease out the legislation in this regard. My understanding is that there is blanket immunity for medical professionals inside the safe zones-----
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: General Scheme of the Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services (Safe Access Zones)) Bill 2022: Discussion (19 Oct 2022)
Seán Crowe: If that is the case, could that in itself be exploited in that medical personnel working in a hospital zone could be involved in some sort of protest within the confines of a hospital? Does the legislation address that?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: General Scheme of the Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services (Safe Access Zones)) Bill 2022: Discussion (19 Oct 2022)
Seán Crowe: I am conscious that people have been confronted going into general practices and hospital settings. My concern is that the individuals involved in a confrontation might be from a medical profession. It is fine if this type of situation has been examined and is covered under the legislation.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: General Scheme of the Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services (Safe Access Zones)) Bill 2022: Discussion (19 Oct 2022)
Seán Crowe: The conduct pillar was also mentioned. It is important to stress again that this involves not just women accessing services but also their partners, friends and family. The legislation needs to cover that too. On Garda powers, the question around using "shall" or "may" was outlined and the Department is still deciding on this point. There is a big gap in this regard. My concern in...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: General Scheme of the Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services (Safe Access Zones)) Bill 2022: Discussion (19 Oct 2022)
Seán Crowe: Mention was also made of other jurisdictions. Legislation was passed in England and Wales a short time ago. Has legislation from other jurisdictions been examined? A simple "Yes" or "No" will do.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: General Scheme of the Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services (Safe Access Zones)) Bill 2022: Discussion (19 Oct 2022)
Seán Crowe: Okay.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: General Scheme of the Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services (Safe Access Zones)) Bill 2022: Discussion (19 Oct 2022)
Seán Crowe: I am conscious of people's civil rights. Does this legislation cover people being photographed going in and out of hospitals?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: General Scheme of the Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services (Safe Access Zones)) Bill 2022: Discussion (19 Oct 2022)
Seán Crowe: It has been said that people could be innocently taking photographs of a hospital zone. The idea that people would be photographed and identified going in and out as they access services, whether those services are accessed or not, would leave it wide open for people to say who was going in. We have seen examples of people, from within a marriage, or partners or whatever, in abusive...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: General Scheme of the Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services (Safe Access Zones)) Bill 2022: Discussion (19 Oct 2022)
Seán Crowe: I have one other question. Through its discussions with the organisation, has the Department become aware of many complaints being made to An Garda Síochána in relation to people accessing services?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: General Scheme of the Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services (Safe Access Zones)) Bill 2022: Discussion (19 Oct 2022)
Seán Crowe: Lastly, I am conscious that we have mentioned the speedy passage of the actual legislation, but that does not mean that we, as a committee, will not do our job as legislators to scrutinise the proposed legislation. Again, if people at home want to send in submissions within the timescales, we will take on board their concerns or questions on this legislation. I will go back to the members....
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: General Scheme of the Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services (Safe Access Zones)) Bill 2022: Discussion (19 Oct 2022)
Seán Crowe: That will be a decision that is made after the meeting. Does Mr. O'Connor wish to respond?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: General Scheme of the Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services (Safe Access Zones)) Bill 2022: Discussion (19 Oct 2022)
Seán Crowe: That concludes the submission. Is there anything else the witnesses want to expand on, such as for people at home who want to access the heads of the Bill? They might outline how they can access those.