Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)

The Minister's answer was mostly waffle. We did not ask him to outline the entire scheme, which we know very well. The Minister promised he would do his best to introduce this scheme but I feel let down, disappointed and ashamed by the lack of effort. I am determined to get the Minister to reverse his position. His advice is wrong, I advise him to ignore it, and I say this advisedly.

Is the Minister aware that in this week's Irish Post the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the United Kingdom, Mr. Brown, announced that he will introduce free travel for Irish pensioners visiting England, and that his advice is different to that which the Minister received? His officials take a different view of the European legislation from the Minister's officials. I state now, as I stated before, that the Minister's advice is wrong.

Is the Minister aware that Chancellor Brown is also keen to see a reciprocal arrangement between the two countries, despite, as his officials put it, the opposition of the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Deputy Brennan? Money is not an issue, as €150,000 is one twelfth of the total annual cost of the 24,876 Irish pensioners abroad in the first instance, and perhaps only one tenth of them might visit Ireland. It would only cost €15,000 for a full year if that number visited, which is unlikely.

The issue is simply the legality. The British authorities have now established to their satisfaction that there is no problem. They are gazumping the Minister by introducing free travel rights for all 600,000 or 800,000 Irish pensioners who may travel to England and avail of free travel. If they can do it, surely the Minister can do so also.

The Minister must stop hiding behind legalese and advice from legal experts. I ask him to make a decision. He should not seek any more advice. He is the Minister and he should make a decision to introduce this scheme for Irish people who would normally be entitled to free travel if they were living in Ireland and who visit Ireland on holiday.

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