Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

The Opposition was keen to have an entire day yesterday for the debate. I had originally hoped to move the Bill on Tuesday evening but Members felt they wanted more time. In any event, Second Stage was moved by the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Seán Power, who has responsibility in this area and he was here for a considerable part of yesterday morning. It is not traditional that the line Department necessarily sits through the entire Second Stage proceedings of a Bill.

The aspects of the Bill which relate to charging for shelter and maintenance for long-term care were the subject of considerable debate in this House and had been cleared by the Supreme Court, as Deputies know. We are losing €2.5 million for every week that we cannot collect this particular charge. Deputies opposite were screaming at me for weeks about the GP-only medical cards. We want to issue them in April, which is why it is important we proceed with the legislation.

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