Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)

Deputies Ó Caoláin and Reilly raised the matter of important reforming health legislation that is put on the long finger. Another matter is the nurses and midwives Bill, which was supposed to be published as a priority in the last session. It was listed to be published in the last session and now it is listed for this session. My fear is that the Bill to charge medical cardholders and those with long-term illness for their medication may be given priority over other items of legislation that were to be given priority. Will those other items of legislation, particularly the nurses and midwives Bill on the priority list, be taken before the Bill that will charge medical card patients for their prescriptions? It is outrageous that the Government can prioritise certain Bills that penalise the poorest and sickest members of our society, but cannot prioritise other Bills that have been on the list for years and are very important in terms of the operation of the health services. Can I get some kind of a guarantee that we might get the nurses and midwives Bill before we get the Bill that will charge people for their prescriptions?

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