Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

In the legislative programme, the Health (Amendment) Bill, which is before the Seanad, is listed as providing for "the extending of a publicly funded GP service without fees". The Bill was published late last Friday and is being debated in the Seanad this week. However, there is no section to deal with free GP care and there is no explanation of that. Why is that the case? Can we expect an amendment to include the legislative commitment in the programme for Government when the Bill comes to this House or will there be a separate Bill to deal with free GP care? If the latter, when can we expect that Bill to be published?

The programme for Government also promises to introduce a new patient safety authority. I do not understand why there is a need for one given that the Health Information and Quality Authority is probably emerging and developing an excellent reputation for its work. None the less that is a clear commitment in the programme for Government. When is the legislation providing for that authority expected to come before the House?

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