Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 June 2004
75 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Health and Children when it is expected that the heads of the medical practitioners Bill will be presented to Government; if it is intended to publish the heads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18393/04]
View answerI am pleased to inform the Deputy, that a memo for Government on this matter was on the agenda of this morning's Cabinet meeting. I will revert to the Deputy with the Government's decision on the matter in due course.
76 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will consider the introduction of a Good Samaritans Bill to give exemptions from liability for persons who render emergency treatment with a portable defibrillator in order to facilitate a volunteer system in which defibrillators can be placed and used in rural communities, large offices or commercial buildings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18446/04]
View answerIt may not be possible for legal reasons to grant an exemption from civil liability to people who volunteer to give emergency treatment using portable defibrillators. I am aware that some health boards whose regions cover sparsely populated areas provide training in the use of portable defibrillators to appropriately qualified "first responders" such as fire crews. I have asked officials of my Department and the State Claims Agency, which operates the clinical indemnity scheme, to examine how the scheme might be able to offer indemnity cover to appropriately qualified and trained volunteers who agree to provide this service.
