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Establishment of AHR Regulatory Authority is welcome – but law reform needed

Welcoming the long-awaited establishment of the Assisted Human Reproduction Regulatory Authority, Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice today called on the Minister for Health to move ahead with required law reform in this area. Deputy Rice, who is the party’s spokesperson on health, said: “I welcome the establishment of the Assisted Human Reproduction Regulatory Authority and […]

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Health budget is short on detail, ambition and reform

The priorities for our health service in Budget 2026 are completely askew, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who is Chair of the Oireacthas Health Committee, said: “In the Health Minister’s quest for productivity and value for money, she has lost sight of reform. “She seems to forget that without reform […]

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Chair of the Oireachtas Health Committee to launch pre legislative report on Assisted Human Reproduction

Supplementary legislation must ensure no family is left behind when it comes to assisted human reproduction, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who today will launch a report on the matter as Chair of the Oireachtas Health Committee, said: “The journey towards robust legislation to regulate and support donor assisted human […]

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Urgent need for regulation of nicotine pouches

The government must urgently regulate the sale and marketing of nicotine pouches, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore said: “Nicotine pouches are increasingly being used by teenagers across the country – they’re cheap, flavoured, and aggressively marketed to children. “The product is widely available in corner shops with no age restrictions, packaging […]

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Integration of CHI into HSE an inevitable consequence of organisation’s failings

Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice has described confirmation that Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) is to be integrated into the HSE by 2027 as an inevitable consequence of the organisation’s litany of failures. Deputy Rice, who is the party’s health spokesperson, said: “This is welcome news, but hardly a surprising development given the succession of controversies […]

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Minister cannot deflect blame for latest delay to National Children’s Hospital

The Minister for Health must take some share of responsibility for the latest delay to the National Children’s Hospital, according to Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who is the party’s health spokesperson, said: “When questioned earlier today on when the new hospital would open, Minister Carroll Mac Neill flippantly suggested that people should […]

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