Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Chairman, welcome the witnesses and compliment them on their work. They have given a detailed presentation and we should all appreciate the outstanding work done throughout the island and abroad by carers. Ms Doonan and Mr. Caughey made clear that we must support carers in the difficult work they do. Their work is often unsung and unpaid. Along with giving proper recognition and support to carers we should acknowledge the age profile of people in Ireland is rising because we are living longer. It follows that there is a now need to care for people for longer periods. This should be an important element of any proposals on this topic.

There should be a simple all-Ireland policy on this as there are no political difficulties relating to different traditions. The necessary policies and supports in both jurisdictions should apply equally throughout the island. This issue should be raised at the North-South Ministerial Council. In recent years the North-South Inter-Parliamentary Association was established, comprising Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly, Dáil and Seanad, and it has discussed health issues, drugs, alcohol abuse and other matters that affect the entire island. There can be no political difficulties on such matters. I am part of the North-South Inter-Parliamentary Association with Deputies McHugh and Pringle and perhaps we should try to get this issue on its agenda. The Association is jointly chaired by the Ceann Comhairle, Deputy Seán Barrett and the Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, Mr. William Hay, MLA, and I am sure those of us in the Association could seek to have the issue advanced as an item for discussion. This would bring the focus to the all-Ireland element of the issue.

I compliment Ms Doonan, Mr. Caughey and their colleagues on the detailed presentation they gave and their ongoing work. It is important that carers working on their own, almost as sole-traders, have advocates because they do not have sufficient time. I apologise because I must leave now to attend another committee meeting but I will read the report of this meeting.