Joe Behan (Wicklow, Independent)

I thank you, a Cheann Comhairle, for giving me the opportunity to speak on this issue. I salute you for the independence of mind you have shown when I contacted your office two days ago to ask to speak on this issue in my own right without having to ask the Government or the Opposition for their time.

It is an issue of great importance to me personally because it was partly responsible for me making a difficult personal decision to resign from the Fianna Fáil Party, of which I had been member and public representative for almost 25 years. I find it difficult again to say I will be voting against my former party colleagues on this Bill's proposal. I am glad that two of the most senior party members are in the Chamber — the Ministers of State, Deputy Pat Carey and Deputy John Moloney, two people for whom I have the highest respect.

I cannot understand, however, how the party of which I was a member and the Ministers of State who are still members could agree to the proposal to end universal access to free health care for people over 70, particularly when Fianna Fáil has had a proud and noble tradition of ensuring that, above all, the needs of our elderly are protected in society.

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