Seanad debates

Friday, 20 March 2020

An Bille Sláinte (Caomhnú agus Cosaint agus Bearta Éigeandála eile ar mhaithe le Leas an Phobail), 2020: Céim an Choiste agus na Céimeanna a bheidh Fágtha - Health (Preservation and Protection and other Emergency Measures in the Public Interest) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages

 

However, consider the situation where we have a very high proportion, proportionate to the rest of the population, of 15% to 20% of healthcare workers infected. We could have a problem with healthcare workers being available to protect people from the very few, hopefully none, who would seek to ignore the advice given and endanger others as well as themselves. I hear what Members are saying and I am sure the Minister will reassure us that, where possible, this will be done within 72 hours and that people will have the right, as is written down in black and white, to get a second doctor's opinion. That will obviously necessitate the patient being interviewed and all his or her medical facts being put on the table.

There are safeguards in the legislation. I know it is not ideal. As I said earlier, it is not legislation any of us ever thought we would be dealing with in the House, but we are where we are. We are facing very hard times and we must stay together and show unity. That is difficult now, but it is going to be very difficult as we get into the thick of this, the numbers go into the thousands and, sadly, fatalities start to rise. I hope the Minister will be able to reassure the Opposition Senators because it is important that we have unity on this and no delay in passing the Bill.

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