Liam Twomey (Wexford, Fine Gael)

I reiterate the point I was making earlier. Is it really acceptable for the Tánaiste to rely on expert medical opinion she received 30 minutes before we are expected to vote on this legislation? Is it right that she should mention the pertinent legal issues, which she feels justify her decision to take this approach, 90 minutes before we vote on this legislation? There were 15 or 16 debates on this issue in the Dáil in the 1990s. The two main Opposition spokespersons at that time, Deputies Cowen and O'Donnell, are now seen as potential future leaders of Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats, respectively. It would have been nice if the Deputies in question had come to the House today to explain some of the things they were speaking about at that time.

The approach being taken in this legislation is not right, especially when one considers all the arguments and debates about this issue in recent years. The Tánaiste's proposal in section 4 of the Bill to restrict the categories of person who can apply for compensation, medical cards and insurance will affect people who have such rights and entitlements at present.

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