Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Minister for Health acknowledges that the powers in these Acts are wide ranging and they will only be in place for as long as is absolutely necessary. They are short-term public health measures to enable us to act swiftly to protect public health and the progress that everyone in this country has made sacrifices to achieve.

The Minister has listened to the concerns from the House and in that regard, he is working with his officials to streamline the information flow regarding regulations for public health measures. He has also given an undertaking to the health committee to send new regulations regarding the Health (Preservation and Protection and Emergency Measures in the Public Interest) Act 2020, the Health (Amendment) Act 2020, the Criminal Justice (Enforcement Powers) (Covid-19) Act 2020 and the Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 2021 immediately once they are laid. This process of informing the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health of new regulations that have been made has already been initiated following a letter from the Chair of that committee to the Minister recently.

The Oireachtas and all Members of the Houses play an integral part in our democracy and the scrutiny of powers conferred on the Government. Therefore, a number of powers are available to the Oireachtas in relation to the oversight of regulations.