Agenda Profile: Eero Merilind
First Reading of the Draft Act (Bill 448 SE) on the Amendment of the Medical Devices Act and the Consequential Amendment of Other Acts (Granting Authority to the State Agency of Medicines)
2024-09-11
Fifteenth Riigikogu, fourth session, plenary session
Political Position
The political stance strongly supports the transfer of responsibility for the medical devices sector from the Health Board to the Agency of Medicines. The aim is to ensure improved national oversight and consolidate the expertise concerning medicines and medical devices within a single agency. This approach is clearly policy- and results-driven, focusing on the efficiency of administrative organization.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise in healthcare administration issues, focusing on the regulation of medical devices, the reallocation of budget and staffing requirements, and the implementation of the CE marking. Specific terminology is employed, such as "health information system data" and "national oversight." This expertise stems from summarizing the work of the Social Affairs Committee.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is highly formal, informative, and procedural, characteristic of a steering committee report. Emotional appeals are entirely absent; the focus is placed on logical argumentation, the presentation of facts, and the communication of consensus-based decisions. The language is specific and concentrates on summarizing the substance and procedure of the draft legislation.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The areas of activity involve legislative work and representing the committee in the Riigikogu plenary session. Specifically, this includes participation in the Social Affairs Committee meeting on June 10th and presenting a report to the plenary assembly on September 11th.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
There is no opposition. The address focuses exclusively on the consensus achieved in the Social Affairs Committee and the communication of procedural decisions, which were reached by consensus.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The cooperative style is consensual and open, stressing that all procedural decisions within the Social Affairs Committee were reached by consensus. Furthermore, positive reference is made to the explanations provided by Minister of Health Riina Sikkut, which support the objectives of the draft bill.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
There is no regional focus; the approach is entirely directed toward national regulations and the reorganization of the jurisdiction of central government institutions (the State Agency of Medicines, the Health Board).
1 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Economic views are limited to administrative efficiency and budget management. Mention is made of the transfer of the corresponding budget allocation to the Agency of Medicines to cover the salaries of officials, which indicates fiscal propriety within the framework of the administrative reform.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
Among the social problems addressed are the management of healthcare and the enhancement of national oversight in the field of medical devices, in order to ensure better access to health information system data. No other broader social topics are included.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is on the draft amendment to the Medical Devices Act (448 SE), the purpose of which is to grant authority to the Agency of Medicines. The speaker is a strong supporter of the bill and a representative of the lead committee, ensuring the adoption of consensus procedural decisions required to conclude the first reading.
1 Speeches Analyzed