Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge the support of Members of the House from all sides, particularly Deputies O'Loughlin and Ó Laoghaire, as well as Deputy Sherlock on behalf of the Labour Party and Deputy Mattie McGrath. In giving their support, a number of issues have been raised.

I note that since we last had a debate in the House, Deputy Ó Laoghaire's responsibilities on behalf of his party have changed and he has been appointed spokesperson on education matters. I acknowledge his contribution to justice debates over the past number of years. As an Opposition spokesperson, I found him to be wholly constructive in his contributions and I wish him well under the education banner. I was very pleased, as Minister for Justice and Equality, to be in a position to acknowledge some of his contributions by incorporating his points in amendments to legislation, particularly other items of legislation that are reaching concluding Stages in the House. Those contributions were most positive and I wish him well in that regard.

As for this Bill, I assure Deputies that officials in my Department continue to liaise with the Office of the Ombudsman on the implementation of the recommendations. I met the Ombudsman only last month and he acknowledged the level of progress made. I also acknowledge the work of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice and Equality, which agreed that pre-legislative scrutiny on the Bill was not required, having regard to its technical nature.

Deputies Ó Laoghaire and Sherlock raised a couple of specific points that we may be able to deal with on Committee Stage but I am very keen to ensure that health and social care services being provided are such to meet the needs of the women involved. It was acknowledged by Mr. Justice Quirke that these targeted health supports are individually focused to meet the health needs of what are in some cases different cohorts of persons. I assure Deputies that Mr. Justice Quirke in his report pointed out that the scheme introduced under the 1996 Act, to which reference was made, was aimed specifically at those who contracted hepatitis C as a result of contaminated blood transfusions. Some of the benefits were not directly applicable and that scheme would require some adaptation. The scheme proposed for the Magdalen women has such adaptation. People suffering from hepatitis C required some products outside the normal range of drugs available but that does not apply in respect of the Magdalen women. To ensure that women who worked in Magdalen institutions get access to best healthcare, provision is being made in this scheme for a number of health services to be provided by referral through a medical practitioner or nurse. I emphasise that this is not intended to in any way restrict services, as the focus must remain firmly on the health needs of the women.

This matter was raised in the Seanad by Senator Ruane in particular. She raised the question of entitlements and access to health and social care services under the 2015 Act and this Bill in comparison with the entitlement to access services for the holders of the Health (Amendment) Act card. The point has been raised quite validly by Deputy Sherlock but in the Seanad, I conveyed to Senator Ruane that I am happy to engage positively with her, insofar as it is possible, to ensure that any outstanding matters can be dealt with to the satisfaction of women who worked in Magdalen laundries. I assure Deputies Sherlock, Ó Laoghaire and others that, as I expressed in the Seanad, I am committed to a further examination of the matter. I must point out that many of the issues raised may not fall within my remit for address but I am satisfied to share any concerns raised with any Minister who may have appropriate or relevant responsibility in the area.

I commend the Bill to the House and I hope we are in a position to move to Committee and Remaining Stages, where I would be happy to deal with any queries that Deputy Mattie McGrath might have.

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