asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that the terms of the Health Acts are being applied too conservatively in County Louth; and if he can take any action to liberalise the application of these Acts in the county.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Application of Health Acts in Louth.
162.
Mr. O'Malley
I am not aware that the position is as stated by the Deputy.
In the two cases about which the Deputy wrote to me in recent months, I think that I satisfied him that the health authority acted reasonably. On 17th November in Dáil Eireann I invited the Deputy to furnish me with particulars of another case, that of a haemophiliac child, in which, apparently, he is interested, but he has not so far done so. If he will furnish me with particulars of that case and of any other case in which he feels that the health authority may have been too rigid, I will be glad to ask the health authority to look into the matter.
The reason the Minister did not get that information is that I am still hopeful that a change of heart may occur there yet. When there is a second definite refusal, I will certainly get in touch with him. I would not agree with the Minister that he has convinced me that the application of the Acts is not too rigid. If I give the Minister some further indications of cases which have been dealt with, he will be convinced, as I am, that the Health Acts are not being interpreted properly in Louth.