Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. I am glad those flexibilities have been built in. I would like the Bill to be stronger and have flexibility, but I recognise that at least the capacity is there within the flexibilities to strengthen things. I will add that in addition to the ongoing mechanisms, and engagement with stakeholders and others over the next period, that myself and others in the Oireachtas will also want to know what patterns have emerged and how things have moved. I am sure the Minister will be willing to engage with us, for example, in 12 months' time so we can see what we hope will only be a very small number of bad scenarios we have outlined as potential scenarios that may unfold and, if they have, can be identified and addressed.

Senator Dolan's point is very interesting. It would be worth clarifying if institutions are covered by the HSE. It is something I might follow up on, separate to this debate, because it would be useful to persons who are affected by that issue. In that context, I will probably not press the second amendment. However, I will go ahead and press the first.