Results 401-420 of 25,248 for speaker:David Cullinane

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Public Health and the Commercial Determinants of Health: Discussion (14 Feb 2024)

David Cullinane: I must cut in because of time. I apologise. I have a related question. One of the issues raised by Dr. Campbell today is the need for us to look at fiscal levers, taxation, and other fiscal measures and tools we can use to shift that power imbalance. What additional practical measures would Dr. Gilheany advocate that would make a difference in this space?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Public Health and the Commercial Determinants of Health: Discussion (14 Feb 2024)

David Cullinane: My question is, in what areas? Obviously, there has been some progress in measures around nicotine, alcohol and sugar. Will Dr. Gilheany give us examples of areas where we need to do more?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Assisted Dying: System for Assisted Dying and Alternative Policies: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Feb 2024)

David Cullinane: Go raibh maith agat. I will start with Dr. Ní Bhriain. For the purposes of clarity, she said the HSE does not have a policy position. I think we can all accept this because it would be a matter for government anyway. There is no government policy now. Dr. Ní Bhriain also said that there is no commissioned research, but that through the Health Research Board, if I understand her...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Assisted Dying: System for Assisted Dying and Alternative Policies: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Feb 2024)

David Cullinane: I refer to outside of the response for today.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Assisted Dying: System for Assisted Dying and Alternative Policies: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Feb 2024)

David Cullinane: The HSE has looked at other countries and jurisdictions in terms of assisted dying only for the purposes of today's session.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Assisted Dying: System for Assisted Dying and Alternative Policies: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Feb 2024)

David Cullinane: That is it. What was that process? Was it undertaken over the course of a day or two days? Were there discussions among those who are witnesses? Was there a wider team involved in that discussion?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Assisted Dying: System for Assisted Dying and Alternative Policies: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Feb 2024)

David Cullinane: In the course of those discussions, was any consideration given to what sort of safeguards and issues would have to be examined in a context where legislation of this type was to come about?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Assisted Dying: System for Assisted Dying and Alternative Policies: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Feb 2024)

David Cullinane: I understand that, but I am looking at the HSE's opening statement and it very clearly sets out safeguards and a range of issues that would need to be considered. I do not see this in the Department's opening statement. I am saying the opening statement has not identified what the safeguards would be.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Assisted Dying: System for Assisted Dying and Alternative Policies: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Feb 2024)

David Cullinane: At this point in time, however, the Department has not looked at those safeguards. Why not?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Assisted Dying: System for Assisted Dying and Alternative Policies: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Feb 2024)

David Cullinane: I know there is no current policy, but at the same time there may be policy. It is possible that at some point in the next 12 months there could be policy. What I am saying is that the HSE has looked at this. I will go through all of the different issues the HSE has identified as potential safeguards. They are: citizens who may be vulnerable; potential impact on healthcare workers; patient...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Assisted Dying: System for Assisted Dying and Alternative Policies: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Feb 2024)

David Cullinane: The Department has not been asked to do it and because the Department has not been asked to do it, then it was not done.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Assisted Dying: System for Assisted Dying and Alternative Policies: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Feb 2024)

David Cullinane: The opening statement of the HSE reads: "The CEO of the HSE has asked us to confirm that should draft legislation be forthcoming, the HSE will respond in more detail at the Committee Consultative stages", and I assume at pre-legislative scrutiny stage, etc. In a second, I will inquire from the HSE about its structure to do this work. It seems obvious to me that the HSE's CEO is looking...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Assisted Dying: System for Assisted Dying and Alternative Policies: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Feb 2024)

David Cullinane: Not the HSE. The HSE has at least been asked to look at this in order to be in a position to respond. If there was movement on this issue, at this point in time there is zero work done by the Department. I imagine the Department would have to respond very quickly but without having, at this point in time, any work done, despite the fact this committee has been in place for some time.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Assisted Dying: System for Assisted Dying and Alternative Policies: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Feb 2024)

David Cullinane: Of course. If a decision is made, as we know, whoever is the Minister at the time will be told, "We have to go away and we have to look at all of this". That could take a year or two years. At the very least, the HSE seems to be in parallel with the work of this committee, examining issues, but the Department is not. The HSE said it has examined these issues. Has a working group...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Assisted Dying: System for Assisted Dying and Alternative Policies: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Feb 2024)

David Cullinane: I accept that. I assume that some of the work the HSE has done will be useful. We do not know what the recommendations will be. This committee will deliberate and publish a report. I think it is reasonable to point out that there is a level of work that was done, at the very least, in the HSE. The CEO of the HSE has, at the very least, asked the HSE to examine the matters and be prepared...

Research and Innovation Bill 2023: Second Stage (31 Jan 2024)

David Cullinane: I welcome the Bill and strongly welcome the establishment of Taighde Éireann, which will be the new competitive research funding agency for all higher education bodies around the country. I raise the issue of the South East Technological University, SETU, about which the Minister and I have had many discussions. With respect to research capacity in areas in the south east, I am...

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 38 - Health (Revised) (31 Jan 2024)

David Cullinane: I refer to the briefing note we got from the Department. I have a number of issues relating to it. There are two parts to my questions. Obviously, this meeting is about the Estimates and the funding that is available to the health service for 2024. I will not go over the old ground we covered after the budget in respect of the lack of funding for ELS and new measures, the role played by...

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 38 - Health (Revised) (31 Jan 2024)

David Cullinane: It is on page 5, under "risk". It is basically saying there may be risk of a Supplementary Estimate in 2024. That goes to the heart of it. "Dishonesty" may be too strong a word but it is certainly a gross understatement of reality. There is no doubt whatsoever that there will be a need for a Revised Estimate this year. The briefing document states that there may be a need and an element...

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 38 - Health (Revised) (31 Jan 2024)

David Cullinane: That is not what it says in the briefing note, however. That is my point. The document refers to a risk and states that a Supplementary Estimate may be required. There are no ifs, buts or maybes about this. It is a reality. We need far more clarity. The Minister was much clearer in his response just now. This is part of the problem. Although the Minister is clear, I had a very robust...