Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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1463. To ask the Minister for Health if he has the remit and authority to instruct or compel the 19 maternity units to comply with easing restrictions that currently prevent a woman from having a partner of her choice with them at all antenatal appointments including all scans and throughout the full duration of her labour and birth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33479/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.

Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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1464. To ask the Minister for Health the reason for appointing a person (details supplied) to a position advising on public nutrition; the number of other candidates that were in the running; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33480/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The British-Irish Agreement Act, 1999 provides for Safefood to have both an Advisory Board and an Advisory Committee.

Safefood Advisory Committee (SAC) members are selected by Safefoodfollowing a publicly advertised invitation for expressions of interest from suitably qualified professionals. 52 expressions of interest were received for membership in the current SAC and 12 applicants were selected.

The role of the SAC is advisory. It meets on average twice a year and provides expert advice to Safefood when it considers new and emerging issues on food safety, healthy eating, and on strategic and cost-effective communications mechanisms for fostering positive change in these areas.

Safefood developed a code of practice for SAC members and procedures for conflict of interest is included. Appointees must disclose any information or personal connections which, if appointed, could lead to a real or perceived conflict of interest. Members must highlight any potential for such conflict and step back from any discussions on those issues

SAC members act in a voluntary capacity and are there to bring their expertise to topics for discussion. Safefood advises that all SACs appointed to date have included food industry representatives.

Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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1465. To ask the Minister for Health if a uniform best practice-based approach to women having full access to a partner will be implemented and enforced across all HSE maternity units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33481/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.

Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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1466. To ask the Minister for Health the specific grounds identified by his Department and the HSE on which a maternity unit is exempt from lifting partner restrictions for maternity service users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33482/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.