We use Google Analytics to see which pages are read and how the site is used, so we know what to improve. This only runs if you accept. See our privacy notice for details.

Dáil
‹ Order of Business

Health information Bill and High Court appointment

Summary

Deputy McDonald questions delays to the health information and patient safety legislation and asks when a successor to the retiring High Court President will be appointed; the exchange is repeatedly ruled partly out of order.

I understand that the Minister for Health, Deputy Varadkar, is due to publish the heads of the health information and patient safety Bill today. Is this the same proposal that was announced by the then Minister for Health, Deputy Reilly, in March 2014 and included in the HSE service plan of that year?

Comment on this

It has been recycled.

Comment on this

The Minister, Deputy Reilly, failed to honour this commitment, unfortunately, and the continued under-funding of the health system has further reduced patient safety. Can the Tánaiste tell the House whether the full Bill will be published before the election? Is this just another piece of pre-election bluster? Is it not "what you tend to do during an election", as Deputy Rabbitte might have it?

In light of the early retirement of Mr. Justice Nicholas Kearns in December of this year, can the Tánaiste bring any clarity to the issue of who will be appointed as the next President of the High Court?

Comment on this
Michael P. Kitt An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

That is not relevant on the Order of Business.

Comment on this

When might that appointment be announced?

Comment on this
Michael P. Kitt An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

That is not relevant on the Order of Business.

Comment on this

Will the Tánaiste confirm that the current Attorney General is not being considered for that post?

Comment on this

Mná na hÉireann.

Comment on this

That would be one way of getting her out of there.

Comment on this