By Plenary Sessions: Irja Lutsar
Total Sessions: 51
Fully Profiled: 51
2025-10-16
XV Riigikogu, VI Session, Plenary Sitting
The speaker demonstrates awareness of the economic mechanisms that link the density of retail space to pricing, and possesses knowledge of the Social Affairs Committee's discussions concerning the price of over-the-counter medicines. Specific comparative data is utilized, noting that Estonia has four times more pharmacies per capita than Finland.
2025-10-09
15th Riigikogu, 6th Session, Plenary Sitting
The speaker demonstrates a keen interest in and deep knowledge of e-residency and the international comparison of IT systems. Emphasis is placed on the necessity of understanding why other countries (around 200) haven't implemented a similar system and what core risks they perceive. The expertise focuses on policy comparison and risk analysis within the digital domain.
2025-10-08
The 15th Riigikogu, 6th Session, Plenary Sitting
The speaker demonstrates profound expertise in social security and healthcare regulations, particularly concerning sickness benefits, unemployment insurance benefits, and voluntary health insurance. Technical terminology is employed, and specific data points are cited, such as a positive budgetary impact of 1.2 million euros and the number of individuals affected by the amendments (approximately 1,300). This expertise is further evident in the ability to reference and clarify complex legal details, including the harmonization of the calculation basis for maternity benefits and the control mechanisms utilized by the Health Fund (Tervisekassa).
2025-10-07
The 15th Riigikogu, 6th Session, Plenary Sitting
The speaker demonstrates competence regarding the state budget and R&D spending, citing specific figures for the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications (approximately 80 million) and the Ministry of Social Affairs (1.48 million). Their expertise is clear when linking clinical studies to the basis of science-based medicine, highlighting the critical underfunding within the field.
2025-09-17
15th Riigikogu, 6th sitting, plenary sitting.
The expert analysis is related to the specifics of social policy, especially the amounts of child benefits (100 euros, a 20-euro increase) and the mechanisms for their distribution. The speaker is familiar with the procedural side, referencing the discussions that took place in the committee regarding individual support.
2025-09-16
Fifteenth Riigikogu, sixth sitting, plenary sitting.
The speaker demonstrates strong expertise in the field of medicine and scientific research, citing the traditions of medicine as an empirical discipline and the decline in data sharing. He/She uses concrete examples, such as the process of obtaining a research permit taking a year and a half, to illustrate regulatory issues.
2025-09-10
15th Riigikogu, 6th sitting, plenary session
The speaker demonstrates expertise in the field of crisis management, clearly differentiating between military and civil crises and the distinct regulatory requirements of each. Drawing on recent personal experience in managing a civil crisis, he justifies the necessity for separate legislation. This expert opinion stems from the concern that provisions required for a military crisis unnecessarily complicate the resolution of a civil crisis.
2025-09-04
15th Riigikogu, extraordinary session of the Riigikogu
The speaker demonstrates knowledge of Estonia's current public health regulations, particularly regarding isolation requirements for close contacts. They utilize the recommendations of the Health Board (Terviseamet) to refute potential illness-related justifications for absence.
2025-06-18
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
The speaker demonstrates deep expertise at the intersection of medicine and law, utilizing specific terminology such as intensive care, palliative care, and positron emission tomography (PET). He/She relies on expert assurances to dispel fears regarding the misuse of the law and is familiar with complex legal precedents (the so-called Tammert case). This expertise is also evident in the explanation of the detailed restrictions and objectives of the draft bill.
2025-06-12
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting
The speaker demonstrates expertise in medicine and correctional healthcare, emphasizing their background as a pediatrician and their experience conducting HIV-related research at Tartu Prison. They offer specific observations regarding the health status of inmates, noting mental health problems and HIV infection, and affirm the competence of the prison medical system.
2025-06-10
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting.
The speaker demonstrates specific awareness of the problems within the field of legal education, referencing prior discussions and the recent change in faculty leadership (the new dean). Their expertise lies in understanding the historical context of the matter and consistently demanding solutions, having been engaged with this topic for at least a year.
2025-06-04
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
The speaker demonstrates knowledge regarding the necessity of public opinion polls in Estonia and the complexity of international coordination. The expertise focuses on analyzing regional disparities (the time difference with neighboring countries) and their practical consequences. Furthermore, the need to ascertain the specific basis upon which the presenter's belief in European support rests is highlighted.
2025-05-15
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
The speaker demonstrates expertise in the field of higher education, distinguishing it from primary and secondary schooling. They utilize artificial intelligence for data verification, which suggests a technical and analytical approach, even though they acknowledge that the data quality is poor.
2025-04-23
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
The speaker demonstrates profound medical expertise, drawing on over 45 years of personal experience and providing examples of the enormous progress made in treating malignant tumors. Specific terminology is employed (PET, palliative care, euthanasia), and the analysis is based on long-term forecasts regarding scientific development. This expertise is used convincingly to highlight the danger inherent in the indefinite validity of an advance directive.
2025-04-16
15th Estonian Parliament, 5th session, plenary session
The speaker demonstrates strong expertise in handling draft legislation within the social and healthcare sectors, particularly concerning the hospital derogation and the Tobacco Act. They have a detailed grasp of procedural aspects, referencing protocols, session dates, and the substance of the proposed amendments. Furthermore, they are knowledgeable about the side effects of innovative medicines and the components found in heated tobacco products.
2025-04-15
Fifteenth Riigikogu, Fifth Session, Plenary Session.
The presenter demonstrates expertise in identity theft and cybercrime, drawing on both personal experience and the knowledge shared by experts and colleagues. A specific international investigation (Romania) is mentioned, along with a reference to the role played by the media (Pealtnägija), all of which underscores the complexity and international reach of the topic.
2025-04-10
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
The speaker demonstrates expertise regarding the shortcomings of transport subsidies for people with disabilities, focusing on situations where personal or family transportation is unavailable. Emphasis is placed on the practical implementation problems of social welfare and the need to find solutions for atypical assistance schemes.
2025-04-09
15th Estonian Parliament, 5th session, plenary session
The speaker demonstrates profound expertise in pharmaceutical regulation and the legislative process, utilizing specific terminology such as "hospital exemption," "ethics committee requirement," and "liability insurance." He presents himself as an authoritative rapporteur on the work of the Social Affairs Committee, citing meeting dates and the substance of proposed amendments. Furthermore, he has an interest in international studies concerning the health impact of wind turbines.
2025-03-13
15th Riigikogu, 5th sitting, plenary session
The speaker demonstrates deep expertise in the fields of medicine, pharmaceutical regulation, and virology, utilizing specific terminology (e.g., mRNA technology, peer-reviewed journals, validated laboratory tests). This expertise is supported by concrete data, such as the incidence rate of side effects (0.2–0.3% in Estonia) and the mention of the Nobel Prize being awarded to the developers of mRNA technology. The competence and impartiality of both the European Medicines Agency and the Estonian State Agency of Medicines are emphasized.
2025-03-11
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
The speaker demonstrates knowledge of the international academic job market, referencing layoffs and the non-renewal of contracts at elite US universities, such as Harvard. Specific terminology is employed, including "knowledge-based state" and "doctoral studies." Furthermore, the speaker refers to information gathered via colleagues, indicating a profound grasp of the subject matter.
2025-02-26
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
The speaker demonstrates strong expertise in science policy and the practical challenges of research, citing issues like uncertainty, reliance on grants, and bench science. They use their personal background ("I have also been a scientist") to establish authority. Furthermore, they show technical awareness regarding the necessity of data collection, storage, cross-referencing, and consolidation, warning specifically against the proliferation of 50 separate data silos.
2025-01-29
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting
The speaker demonstrates expertise in the social sector, particularly concerning services for people with disabilities, legal definitions, and the resulting burden on families. The technical and financial aspects are specifically highlighted, drawing attention to the unusually low IT costs (12,000 euros) incurred during the law's implementation, which stands in stark contrast to typical expenditures that run into the millions.
2025-01-15
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
The speaker demonstrates strong expertise in medicine and hospital network planning, referencing their professional background (medical science) and using specific terminology (e.g., anesthesia services, laboratory robots, medical campuses). They present detailed analyses concerning the need for service consolidation and cite examples from other hospitals (Tartu University Hospital, West Tallinn Central Hospital). At the same time, they decline to comment on construction issues, admitting a lack of knowledge in that field.
2024-12-18
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary sitting
The speaker demonstrates profound expertise in pharmaceutical regulatory affairs, clinical trial methodology, and specific treatment modalities (such as CAR-T cell therapy). They reference specific legal sections (e.g., Section 167 of the Medicines Act) and employ technical terminology, underscoring the requirements for evaluating the quality, efficacy, and safety of medicinal products. The arguments are substantiated with concrete examples, including the Bioblock studies and the recent contamination incident involving Avastin in a hospital pharmacy.
2024-12-16
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary session
The speaker demonstrates knowledge of the synthetic cannabinoid supply chain, highlighting their origin in China and subsequent distribution via postal packages ordered online. Furthermore, China's legal stance, which permits the production of these substances within its borders, is also noted, suggesting a focus on the international legal environment.
2024-12-11
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary session
The speaker demonstrates knowledge on the topic of public health and vaccination, referencing a response written by experts from the State Agency of Medicines (Ravimiamet) and its subsequent publication in Delfi. They rely on institutional expertise to support their claims, and emphasize that the experts' response is understandable even without a background in biology or medicine.
2024-12-10
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary session
The expert analysis focused on the internal rules of the Riigikogu and the working procedures of its committees, highlighting systematic non-attendance. He relies on personal observations to describe behavioral patterns, noting the early departure of a specific group.
2024-12-05
15th Estonian Parliament, 4th session, plenary session.
The speaker demonstrates expertise regarding children's rights protocols and is interested in the technical details of the legislation, such as the definition of a child and the liability associated with filing a complaint. He/She stresses the necessity of focusing the discussion on the specific protocol, rather than jumping between topics (e.g., care homes or family benefits).
2024-11-21
15th Estonian Parliament, 4th sitting, plenary session
The speaker demonstrates a solid grasp of global demographics, citing specific population figures (1.8 billion, 8 billion, over 8.2 billion) and historical pandemics. They use statistics to establish the premise of their question and seek the climate scientist's perspective on matters of population policy.
2024-11-14
15th Estonian Parliament, 4th session, plenary session
The assessment focuses on the organization of parliamentary work and the internal dynamics of committees (especially the Social Affairs Committee). Interest is also shown in the administrative structure of research institutions (the Academy of Sciences). Specific data or technical terms are not used, but procedural awareness is emphasized.
2024-11-13
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary session.
The speaker demonstrates expertise in social sector funding schemes and legislative procedures, referencing specific details such as the funding floor and ceiling, and the previously used project-based system. They utilize concrete data (e.g., 6,000 euros for a small island, 80,000 euros for Tallinn/Tartu) and systematically address the issue of workforce shortages in the provision of mental health services. This expertise also encompasses knowledge of the operational processes of the Social Affairs Committee and linguistic editing.
2024-11-11
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary session
The speaker(s) demonstrate a thorough knowledge of healthcare services, medical indications, and specific sections (§ 5 and § 6) of the abortion law. Medical terminology is employed, and reference is made to their expert knowledge (as a medical professional), citing examples such as elective caesarean sections, vaccination policy, and pharmacological procedures. This expertise is focused on analyzing the ambiguity in the wording of the draft law and the potential health risks involved.
2024-11-06
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary sitting
The speaker demonstrates expertise in analyzing the state budgeting methodology (activity-based budgeting) and its associated metrics. Specific attention is paid to the details of the Ministry of Health's budget, citing the inefficiency of measuring the percentage of overweight individuals as an example. Technical terminology, such as "metrics" and "activity-based budgeting," is employed.
2024-10-23
15th Riigikogu, 4th sitting, plenary session
Demonstrates deep expertise in pharmaceutical policy and supply chains, utilizing specific terminology such as "ambulatory network," "rare diseases," and "radiopharmaceuticals." References previous regulatory discussions (five years ago) and analyses by the Competition Authority, and also provides examples from Finnish practice. It details the distinctions between wholesale and retail drug sales, as well as the bureaucracy associated with applying for marketing authorization.
2024-10-16
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary sitting
The speaker demonstrates expertise in the operational structure of the Social Affairs Committee and the specifics of mental health service financing. They cover technical aspects, such as the formulas used for calculating funding (population-based, floor/ceiling limits) and issues related to co-payments. Furthermore, they are familiar with the plans of the Ministry of Social Affairs (SOM), including the development of the youth mental health action plan.
2024-10-10
Fifteenth Riigikogu, Fourth sitting, plenary session.
The expertise is evident in the domain of social policy and legislation, particularly at the intersection of social work intervention mechanisms and data protection. The speaker refers to specific details, such as the four diagnoses that trigger intervention, and is aware of the work of the social committee.
2024-09-17
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary session
The speaker demonstrates expertise in the field of social problems and juvenile delinquency, addressing it as a systemic issue rooted in the tunnel of impunity. He/She poses a question that requires the Chancellor of Justice to conduct a broader societal analysis and an evaluation of preventative measures.
2024-09-11
Fifteenth Riigikogu, fourth session, plenary session
The speaker demonstrates deep expertise in the field of healthcare regulations and medical devices, utilizing specific terminology such as "algorithms," "insulin pumps," and "dosing calculators." They also stress the superior expertise of the Agency of Medicines staff, which stems from their medical and physician education. Furthermore, they possess knowledge regarding national defense and future warfare, distinguishing between conventional warfare and warfare conducted in cyberspace.
2024-06-12
15th Estonian Parliament, 3rd session, plenary session.
The speaker demonstrates profound expertise in public health, medical data collection, and epidemiology, citing 15 years of personal experience with the HIV infection register. They emphasize the importance of evidence-based decision-making and utilize technical terminology related to registers and data repositories, further stressing the need for a register covering medical training and infertility treatment.
2024-06-04
15th Riigikogu, third session, plenary sitting
The presenter demonstrates expertise regarding the classification of emergencies and the jurisdiction of parliamentary committees, particularly focusing on the role of the Social Affairs Committee in crisis management. They use the experience of the pandemic as a case study to highlight the critical importance of the social sector during discussions concerning the Emergency Situation Act. This expertise lies at the intersection of legislation pertaining to social affairs and national defense.
2024-05-30
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary sitting
The speaker focuses on economic and financial topics, emphasizing the need for independent expert knowledge within the government. They refer to the opinion of Viljar Arakas and the experience of the scientific advisory council that operated during the coronavirus pandemic. The speaker sees the role of experts primarily as providing reliable advice and explaining the situation to the public.
2024-05-29
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session
The speaker demonstrates knowledge of the social and biological boundaries of adulthood, as well as Estonian legislation, citing examples of the responsibilities held by 16-year-olds (parenthood, employment, national defense). To support their arguments, they utilize a historical precedent (the Estonian Congress of 1990) and references to the practices of other European countries. They also touch upon issues related to low youth voter turnout and their lack of motivation.
2024-05-27
Fifteenth Riigikogu, third session, plenary session
The speaker demonstrates knowledge of demographic trends in the social sector and international comparisons, referencing pension levels across Europe and birth rates in various countries (Austria, France, USA, India). They use specific terminology such as the "absolute poverty rate" and emphasize the role of "positive nudging" (soft measures) in solving social problems.
2024-05-16
Fifteenth Riigikogu, Third Session, Plenary Session
The speaker demonstrates expertise on the topic of the labor market and workforce distribution, highlighting specific shortages (doctors, nurses, teachers, engineers). A statistical fact (60% employment) is cited, and an analysis is demanded regarding the sectors where this 60% is actually employed, in order to resolve the apparent contradiction.
2024-05-06
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session.
The speaker demonstrates awareness of the social repercussions of language policy, particularly its effect on integration at the family level and within the healthcare sector (the necessity of interpreters). The expertise relies on socio-political observation and a hypothesis regarding the long-term effects of educational choices, but no technical data or statistics are provided.
2024-04-10
15th Estonian Parliament, 3rd session, plenary session
The speaker demonstrates expertise in managing public health crises (HIV, COVID) and crisis communication. They draw upon the experience of past crises to underscore the necessity of conveying vital information in a language that residents can undeniably understand. This suggests their authority on matters of crisis preparedness and social communication.
2024-04-09
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session
The speaker demonstrates expertise in data governance and regulatory matters, clearly differentiating the issues concerning data collection (which is adequate) and data utilization (which is inefficient). Technical language is employed, stressing the necessity of bringing regulations to a level that ensures data use is rapid and easily manageable.
2024-03-19
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session
The speaker demonstrates a high level of technical expertise in the organization of medicine and healthcare, employing specific terminology (residency, general practitioners, audits, cystic fibrosis). Emphasis is placed on systemic issues such as the better utilization of the workforce, deficiencies in quality control, and the risks associated with expanding the role of pharmacies. Furthermore, reference is made to the State Audit Office's observations regarding the inadequacy of quality control within the medical field.
2024-03-06
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session
The speaker demonstrates expertise in the field of social security and labor law, particularly regarding the compensation of sick leave benefits and hybrid work arrangements. Technical details (such as the Health Insurance Fund's 70% versus 50% compensation rates) and practical examples (like a computer worker suffering a broken leg) are used to illustrate the policy's impact. It is stressed that the final decision must always rest with the individual and their treating physician.
2024-01-23
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session
High authority regarding science funding systems, researcher career models, and particularly in the field of medicine and vaccines. Utilizes specific terminology (knowledge transfer, core funding, genotoxic studies, blinded studies) and relies on data from the State Agency of Medicines, the Ministry of Social Affairs, and the European Medicines Agency. Emphasizes their personal knowledge of the daily problems faced by researchers and the process of applying for grants.
2024-01-11
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary sitting
The speaker demonstrates expertise in the field of emergency medical services and childbirth protocols, explaining detailed regulations concerning the timing of calling an ambulance and the issuance of documentation for home births. A colleague's assistance was utilized to verify and refine the information, which points to a fact-based approach.