Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I agree with the Government, Senator Higgins and all Senators on the need for full access to all information on vaccines, vaccine trials and medical trials. There is no disagreement on that and it is for that reason that I cannot accept these amendments. They are unnecessary because the legislation before us provides comprehensively for the full release of medical records to an applicant. I note that amendments Nos. 9 to 13 all seek to add the specific term "vaccine trials" into the definition of "medical information".

We debated this important matter on Committee Stage and I am happy to do so again. Where someone was part of a vaccine trial, any information on that should and will, without doubt, be given to them under the existing draft legislation. This is an essential fact that people need to know and it is a matter of great importance to the people who have been impacted by it. I wish to put on record again that vaccine trials and vaccinations given are fully provided for under the definition of "early life" and are comprised in the definition of "medical information". Vaccinations are a person's medical history. These areas are captured under two headings: early life information; and medical information.These areas are captured.

Some of the amendments also seek to include the word "records" in the definition of medical information. On Report Stage in the Dáil, I brought an amendment to the original Bill to ensure it is the record containing medical information that will be released to a relevant person. Section 15 is the substantive section for the release of medical information. Section 15(2)(a) states:

... a relevant body, on application to it

[...]

shall, to the extent that it is practicable to do so, provide the relevant person with a copy of the records ... that it holds that contain the medical information to which the application relates ...

Similarly, I cannot support amendment No. 4, which would amend the definition of early life information. The legislation already fully provides for the release of records related to medical treatment or procedure. Paragraph (f) of the definition of early life information ensures that records on any medical treatments and procedures are provided to the person. This will include medical or medicinal trials, which are the words this amendment seeks to insert into the definition. I would again draw the Senator's attention to paragraph (f), which refers to "information on any medical treatments, procedures or vaccinations administered to him or her". I hope Senators are reassured that the Bill already achieves a full release of medical records and that such records will include records of vaccinations, vaccination trials and any medical trials.