Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am pleased to be able to speak on the Health and Childcare Support (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill. I acknowledge the excellent briefing prepared by Ms Emily Heery and the Oireachtas Library and Research Service.

The Bill seeks to maintain the provision of certain health benefits, including the European health insurance card, EHIC, to eligible residents of Northern Ireland and to make provision for British citizens to access the affordable childcare scheme on the same basis as Irish citizens in the event of there being no agreement between the European Union and United Kingdom on the withdrawal of the UK from the EU. We are all weary and are holding our breath and a cross-party alliance has supported the Government on the issue in an effort to salvage some vestiges of sanity from this decision. Things have gone on and on without any clear timelines or deadlines being met. There has been one extension after another. It is hugely damaging to the entire economy of Ireland. Obviously, we need legislation like this and the omnibus Bill. I thank the Minister for his briefings.

We have issues around our hospital services. Deputies Michael Collins and Danny Healy-Rae have come into the Chamber. Deputy Healy-Rae sends bus loads of people to the North to get cataracts, knees and everything else addressed. Many of them were members of Fine Gael long before the Minister was in the party. Maybe they will be there after he is in it too. He is not that long in it. It was not too long ago that he was in another party in Wicklow. I know a small bit about Wicklow. Deputy Donnelly has gone around the House a few times too.

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