Proposals to be voted on by members at medical union’s AGM later this week
Social media should be banned for all children under 16, while all websites distributing pornography should operate with strict age-verification, members of the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) will argue later this week.
Ahead of its AGM on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, the IMO has published a list of motions which will be subject to debate before being voted on by delegates.
Among them is a call for the immediate banning of all pornography ‘which depicts sexual violence, misogyny and degrading sexual practices as well as content implying or promoting underage sexual activity.’
“The penalties should be comparable to those used for distribution and access of child pornography,” the motion states.
Another motion calls for all online platforms that distribute pornography as either a primary or secondary business have ‘strict age verification systems which include some off-line element (ie passport, driving license)’.
Both motions will be proposed by consultant psychiatrist and chair of the IMO Consultant Committee Prof Matthew Sadlier. He will also second a proposal by Dr Aideen Brides calling for legislation banning all social media for under-16s ‘in light of the growing evidence of the harm caused to minors by social media’.
“The Australian government has passed similar legislation, and we, as a group of doctors, feel it is imperative that our Government follow suit,” the motion adds.
IMO members will also discuss the issue of screen use among early school age children, and will debate a motion calling for the Government to support existing HSE guidance on the issue with a media campaign highlighting the dangers of the practice.
The AGM, which takes place this year in Killarney, Co Kerry, will also discuss planned changes to the coroner service. Outgoing IMO president and Donegal-based GP and coroner Dr Denis McCauley will bring forward a motion stating concerns that the Department of Justice ‘is tending towards the view that the primary qualification required for all future coroners will be of a legal degree as opposed to a medical degree’.
The motion adds: “This is at variance to the present practice where coroners can be either a medically or legally trained professional. The Irish Medical Organisation would feel that this would lead to an immediate and long lasting reduction in the quality and effectiveness of the coronial process generally but particularly in relation to deciding when a post mortem is necessary, interaction with family members and the conducting of medical inquests.”
Another proposal calls for a HSE review of the time lost due to the non-integration of IT systems ‘leading to key clinical information not being available in a timely manner, which presents unacceptable risks for patients and staff’.
On health policy, a motion to be debated on Saturday calls for the Government to not adopt recommendations made by a Joint Oireachtas Committee on Mental Health in relation to the Mental Health Bill, arguing that they pose ‘significant risks to future patients’.
This comes after the Irish Hospital Consultants Association last week said the Bill is ‘unworkable’ in parts and would ‘undermine’ patients’ right to timely treatment if enacted in its current form.
Consultant in public health medicine Dr Mary O’Mahony will table a motion calling for politicians to close a loophole allowing for alcohol brands to use recognisable logo elements such as wording, colours and fonts without explicitly using their products brand name.
The practice is known as ‘alibi marketing’ and alcohol companies have been accused of deploying the tactic when advertising non-alcoholic drinks, particularly in circumstances where the promotion of alcohol is banned.
Finally, IMO members will vote on four motions related to the war in Gaza, which includes a call for the immediate restoration of the International Committee of the Red Cross, and its partner organisations, to Palestinian prisoners in Israel.
