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Dáil
‹ An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

Hospital capacity and masks

Summary

Deputy Alan Kelly raised concerns about Covid-19 leadership, hospital trolley numbers, and the Minister's visibility. The Taoiseach pointed to recent meetings with the HSE, the winter initiative, and the move to make face masks compulsory on public transport.

I thank the Taoiseach. Is Deputy O'Callaghan offering for the Social Democrats? Yes.

Comment on this

I have a question about commitments around the private rented residential sector and improving the security of tenure. The moratorium on evictions and rent increases is due to expire in six days time. Will the Taoiseach give a commitment to extend that moratorium, which has been effective in helping prevent homelessness?

Comment on this

It has been effective and the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government has spent a lot of time in the last while meeting NGOs in relation to homelessness. It was brought in in the context of the emergency regulations and legislation relating to the pandemic. It is under active consideration by the Government. A decision has to be made by 20 July.

Comment on this

The Taoiseach spoke about the issue of access to medicinal cannabis numerous times in the last Dáil, to his credit. It is three and a half years since the Health Products Regulatory Authority recommended that a medical cannabis programme be set up. Last year, the law was changed in this country. For the first time, medical practitioners could legally prescribe medical cannabis. Since then, not one person has been prescribed medical cannabis unless they go through the licensing system. As the Taoiseach knows, this system is extremely bureaucratic and those people have to go to Holland and so forth. Can the Taoiseach give a commitment that this programme, which is in the programme for Government, will be commenced as soon as possible?

Comment on this

It is in the programme for Government. I am aware, as is the Deputy, of the finer details of this but there has been a lot of frustration in terms of the difficulties in rolling out the compassionate access programme. The Minister is aware of it, as well. I will come back to the Deputy with, hopefully, some timelines in relation to it.

Comment on this

The last two Ministers for Health, Deputies Harris and Stephen Donnelly, said they would come back to me and they have not. At the same time, people are going without, including vulnerable children.

Comment on this

The Deputy can ask one question. He cannot get two bites of the cherry.

Comment on this

It is a terrible injustice.

Comment on this

I thank Deputy Kenny and the Taoiseach. I call Deputy Fitzpatrick.

Comment on this