Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

What was recommended by Mr. Justice Quirke is what the women concerned are getting. I do not think Deputy Ruth Coppinger is correct when she claims they are not getting what they expected. Many of the women who have been in contact with us believe the scheme has been extremely helpful to them. For many women, it is preferable for the Government to put in place a scheme of this nature compared to the alternative of going to court and facing a lengthy and stressful legal process. That is one of the reasons Mr. Justice Quirke recommended this approach. It is important that we do not cast doubt on a scheme which is working well for many women. I acknowledge that the Deputies are making their points about providing better services for the women concerned in good faith, but it is also important not to mislead people. The scheme is based on the Health (Amendment) Act 1996 and the same range of services are available, the only exceptions being those services included specifically in the earlier legislation for those with hepatitis C or family members who were at risk of contracting it. I have explained in detail why I cannot put the provision of alternative remedies on a statutory footing as part of the medical card provisions.

See this speech in context