Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have no difficulty with people going to Northern Ireland but I object strongly to the Department passing the buck in this way. It is directing people to the treatment abroad scheme when this service could easily be provided under the NTPF. I do not accept that we should be requiring people to travel long distances to access treatment. This is especially the case with orthodontics, which usually does not involve once-off treatment but, rather, a series of treatments over a period of time. I am absolutely appalled by the suggestion that people from Cork should travel to Northern Ireland for treatment.