Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

On the basis of the information the Minister has given, due to the reasons he has outlined, and on the proviso that we will be kept updated on the operation of this scheme, I will withdraw the amendment. The intention of my amendment is clear, but I do not want to create a scenario where we have no provision at all, which is my understanding of what would happen. That cannot happen. While I am not disputing that the scheme as outlined by the Minister is better than nothing and is to be welcomed, it is not what people in the North were promised. Pressure will remain from my party to ensure those people will not have to go through that process, should it come to it. It is difficult. There is a public health system in the North. We have used the example of France. It would be difficult to be treated there as a patient from a third state only to come home and be treated as a European citizen. We are planning for a scenario we hope will not happen.

On the basis of the assurances and explanations given by the Minister, I withdraw the amendment.

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