Mr. Robert Watt:

This was debated in the Oireachtas many times during the 2000s. Everybody accepts the view that the position before 2009 was unfair, with which I agree. What is colloquially known as the fair deal is a very impressive policy that gets the balance correct between people who have means to contribute with the State making up the balance. Irrespective of whether you are private or public, you are treated the same. That is an extremely fair policy and was a very robust response to the reality of care needs some of our elder citizens will have and the ability or otherwise of families to meet those needs. The policy position as set out, which my colleagues work with every day, is fair. That is not to suggest it does not require tweaking or changing of course as circumstances evolve but it is a fair response to those challenges back-----.