Paddy McHugh (Galway East, Independent)

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this Bill, which is relatively small but very relevant following the recent Supreme Court decision. We owe a debt of gratitude to President McAleese for initiating the referral to the Supreme Court of the most recent legislation dealing with nursing home charges. That action undoubtedly saved many people much angst if they felt a compulsion to have the legislation tested in the courts. At least we now know that when this legislation is passed, as I presume it will be, the future basis for nursing home charges will be put on a firm foundation. One of the peculiarities of this House is the irrelevance of the contributions made at times when discussing legislation. This occasion is no exception. The Bill is specific and deals with only two issues: long-term stay charges and doctor-only medical cards. As regards charges, the issue is whether people who can afford to should pay a contribution. If that principle is accepted, and it is one that I support, then we should go ahead and implement it. The blame game for the fiasco that was first discovered 11 Governments ago will have another airing when the Travers report is published. Recriminations should be left to another day because while we squabble here, the taxpayer must foot the bill to the tune of approximately €2.5 million per week.

There has been an attempt to lay the blame for this fiasco at the Tánaiste's door merely because she is the current Minister for Health and Children. That is disingenuous to say the least; dishonest would be a more accurate description. We should not lose sight of the fact that Deputy Harney was the only Minister who acted when the matter was brought to her attention. This, however, is a discussion for another time, after the publication of the Travers report. So also is the issue of repayments of what we now know were illegal charges.

There is a question concerning those who had to go to private nursing homes because they could not be accommodated in public nursing homes. The position of such people needs to be clarified in the interest of fairness.

The legislation also deals with doctor-only medical cards. While any action that helps people on low incomes deal with their daily bills is welcome, it is regrettable that the cards will not cover the cost of prescriptions. Doctor-only medical cards will certainly not fulfil the commitment made to provide an additional 200,000 medical cards. That commitment related to full medical cards, not half ones.

While attempting to focus my comments specifically on the legislation, I cannot allow the occasion to pass without agreeing with my constituency colleague, Deputy Callanan, about the need for progress to made on the issues of the Loughrea nursing home and promised hospital for Tuam.

See this speech in context