Mary Henry (Independent)

Senator O'Meara's amendment is important, as is her comment that the Dáil is rising on Thursday and we are dealing with Report Stage then. Are we just involved in a rubber-stamping exercise today and tomorrow? This is particularly important as there is industrial action in progress in the health boards because of what is regarded as the speed with which the Bill is going through the Houses. The amendment asks whether the health of the individual or of the public is being considered. Public health is very important but I thought the philosophy behind this Bill was the health of the individual and that is why there is a complaints section and redress for individuals who complain. The rights of the patient are not mentioned anywhere in the Bill.

Senator O'Meara's amendment centres on this and we should know the Government's views on the rights of individual patients in this Bill, apart from the complaints mechanism. There is no point in having such a mechanism if one has no rights. It is an exercise on paper. The Minister of State should tell us if there is any point in looking at these amendments.