Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

The commentary I made earlier referred to section 26, and I do not know if I will be allowed address that. I am accepting the Minister of State's clarification.

I wish to address amendments Nos. 13 and 14 as well as amendment No. 12, although they are not grouped. We must recognise that these seek to expand the free examinations available to children. In that regard they are eminently sensible and welcome. I regard this as a very important issue. In this case, amendment No. 12 would bring in dental health examination. This must be seen within the area of health promotion and what preventative measures can be introduced to avoid difficulties presenting in years ahead. All this must be seen as an important and, sadly, long-neglected issue within the health services.

Both health promotion and primary care should be the foundation stones of our health services. All too often we look at the area of health in a myopic way, and what we are considering most of the time is ill health. To have a full and rounded appreciation of the focus of the Department of Health and Children, one must see the areas of health promotion and primary care as critical and as foundation stones. The proposition contained in amendment No. 12 and the subsequent proposals in amendments Nos. 13 and 14 are eminently sensible. I join Deputy Twomey in commending them to the Minister of State and I hope he will accede to all three.

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