Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

I am glad that, based on what has been said here in the past two days, the Government recognises that it was totally inappropriate to introduce this amendment. I acknowledge that none of us are competent to judge whether it fits the bill. Fine Gael proposes that we remove the offending sections because it is unacceptable that we are suddenly handed amendments of this sort. After months of negotiations on the detail of the Bill, a very technical amendment is suddenly produced on which we are supposed to pass judgment when we are not competent to do so.

Fine Gael proposes that these offending sections be removed and the Government go back and discuss them with support groups. We should proceed with the legislation. The people have waited long enough for this very practical scheme. It is outrageous that it has taken so long to introduce these measures but at least there is agreement on what the insurance scheme can provide. I ask the Minister to ensure that this measure goes ahead and that the offending sections are removed. If there is a genuine problem, she should renegotiate with support groups but she should not sneak it in under this legislation.

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