Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)

It is quite a worrying development and indicates not alone the problems raised by the Supreme Court but also vindicates Opposition warnings that the Bill was being rushed through the House. This health amendment Bill was inspired, it seems, more on PR grounds than from a legally vigorous and well-thought out policy viewpoint. It is clear that the business is unfinished and that a debate is needed. It is important to call for a debate.

When we have a debate I would like to hear from the Taoiseach and the Minister for Health and Children whether a special Estimate will be provided by the Government and whether it is prepared to listen to the views that were expressed and which were not given a hearing. These urged that more time was needed to deliberate on the legislation because of the complexity of the issue and with regard to the retrospective action that is needed given the injustices over many years.

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