David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)

——and he will say he has an open mind. That is fair enough but we need a bit more. We would like to see the strategy published so we can debate it. It is disappointing that has not happened.

I acknowledge all the work the Minister has done. When he came into office he co-operated with us when we were fighting the 16 savage cut-backs and he rolled most of them back. He made advances but there was so much money in the coffers in any case that it would have been hard not to do so. However, we need further advances and to stress the importance of the role of the carer, and that is why we have tabled these amendments. We may need to do even more than we are doing. Perhaps it is not enough to support carers and take it for granted that they will be available to do their work in the view that it is their obligation. Perhaps we should also consider the role of the carer in a more professional manner. I rest my case.

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