‘Committee Transcripts’

Opening Statement by Minister for Health, James Reilly TD at the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children 

I thank the Chairman and the members for this opportunity to speak with them.  I, along with my colleagues Ministers’ of State Kathleen Lynch and Róisín Shortall look forward to responding to your questions and having a valuable discussion with you on health service issues. 

As you are well aware, the health service and health policy has particular relevance for every citizen, be they adult or child, male or female and wherever and in whatever circumstances they are living.  It is no surprise, therefore, that the Government is fully committed not just to more efficient ways of delivering services but to a fundamental reform of the Irish Health Service.  This was never going to be an easy task.  The Government is implementing major reforms and introducing initiatives to improve the quality of service at a time when we, as a nation, are the most economically challenged that we have ever been. Read the rest of this entry »

Dr. Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health

Opening Statement by Dr. Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer of the Department of Health on Poly Implant Prostheses (PIP) Breast Implants to the Joint Committee on Health & Children Leinster House 

I thank the Chairman and the members for this opportunity to speak with them.  I will keep my introductory statement as brief as possible and I will be happy to reply to as many comments and questions that I can deal with.  I am aware that my colleagues in the Irish Medicines Board (IMB) met with you on 29th March last and provided you with a very comprehensive assessment of the current situation in relation to the regulation of medical devices and the IMB’s role in relation to same.  Read the rest of this entry »

The extract below is taken from the Oireachtas website

Symphysiotomy: Statements 

Minister for Health (Deputy James Reilly):    At the outset I wish to explain to the House precisely what symphysiotomy is and to give some context about its use as a medical procedure and specifically its use in Ireland. Symphysiotomy is a medical procedure that was used primarily before the advent of safe caesarean sections. The procedure was carried out in Ireland from approximately 1920 until the early 1980s. It was gradually replaced by caesarean section as the preferred method of delivery in childbirth where required. It is clear that the procedure continued to be used in Ireland for some time after it had been all but discontinued in other developed countries. In this regard within Ireland it continued to be used for a longer period, most notably in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda. Read the rest of this entry »