Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. The cross-border scheme derived from European law, the cross-border directive. Northern Ireland is no longer in the European Union, unfortunately; that was beyond our control. Therefore, the cross-border directive no longer applies. People may still travel to other EU countries under the cross-border directive.

The Minister for Health has approval from the Cabinet to introduce an administrative scheme, not on a legislative basis, that would be analogous to what was there before, thus allowing people, particularly in Border areas, to continue to avail of healthcare in Northern Ireland and we will reimburse their costs. Particularly at this time, with Covid-19 levels so high, elective procedures have been paused for good reason.

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