As we stand at the forefront of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) revolution, the challenges of regulating such a transformative technology bring into sharp focus the broader need for an ethical framework in science and technology legislation. This is where the development of an ethical charter for Members of Parliament (MPs), currently being drafted by the Inter-Parliamentary Union Working Group on …
Disappointingly long COVID will not be recognised as an occupational illness – Naughten
One year ago, during the passage of the Social Welfare Bill 2022 Minister Heather Humphreys gave me a commitment to look at introducing a provision to include long COVID as an occupational illness under the Social Welfare code. I tabled an amendment to that legislation and as a result of that the Minister promised to produce a report on …
Artificial Intelligence & Assisted Driving – Research insights to steer our journey ahead
Oireachtas Seminar for Science Week 2023 #BelieveInScience This week, I was delighted to join Ruth Freeman, Director of Science for Society at Science Foundation Ireland, in introducing the virtual seminar ‘Artificial Intelligence & Assisted Driving – Research Insights to Steer Our Journey Ahead’. This event was organised by The Library & Research Service, in partnership with SFI. The theme for …
Ireland’s Entry into CERN has the Potential to Change the Culture of Research – Naughten.
“Ireland’s forthcoming membership of CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, will not only provide new opportunities for Irish researchers but also challenge the underlying ethos of research,” says Denis Naughten TD. Minister Simon Harris is set today to propose a government investment of €2 million annually into CERN’s research initiatives. Denis Naughten pointed out that “this funding predominantly supports …
24 dentists left medical card scheme across Roscommon & Galway – Naughten
A total of 24 dentists have withdrawn from the medical card scheme across Roscommon and Galway over the last five years leaving many patients unable to access dental treatment, Denis Naughten TD has revealed. “In this time just over half of the dentists providing a service to County Roscommon patients have left the scheme, while 40% of dentists have left …
Young Parliamentarians Conference Viet Nam
Today I’m addressing the Inter-Parliamentary Union’s annual Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians in Hanoi, Viet Nam. The theme of the Conference is “The role of youth in accelerating the achievement of the SDGs through digital transformation and innovation”. I will be speaking on measures that can be taken by Members of Parliament to improve policies in the promotion of …
New research shows over 5% of adults actively living with symptoms of long COVID
HSE figures show long COVID patients wait 15 weeks for a clinical appointment New polling data released today has found that more than one in every twenty adults in Ireland are actively living with self-reported symptoms of long COVID. The data is based on a survey commissioned by Independent TD Denis Naughten and conducted by leading polling company Ireland …
Long COVID has potential to place significant burden on our healthcare services
I asked my colleagues in the Oireachtas Library & Research Service to update a previous research paper that I received on long COVID to get an updated understanding of the definition, incidence, and healthcare issues surrounding long COVID. The sad reality is that the symptoms of long COVID can not only last for months but even years and can include …
Patients now waiting 15 weeks for first long Covid appointment – Naughten
2,740 patients referred for specialist long Covid care Patients are now waiting an average of 15 weeks to access long Covid clinics in hospitals across the country, with the longest wait of 35 weeks for patients trying to access the clinic at Tallaght Hospital. Symptoms of long Covid include fatigue and brain fog, which are experienced at least three …
Taoiseach backs proposal to address vacancies in children’s disability services – Naughten
Proposals from Denis Naughten TD that would see innovative recruitment of therapists to work evenings and weekends in children’s disability services has received the support of the Taoiseach. The Dáil heard this week from Denis Naughten TD that the HSE must introduce flexible working contracts to attract therapists to the almost 800 vacancies that currently exist across children’s disability services. …