Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As the Taoiseach will know, the Northern Ireland planned healthcare scheme was put in place last year to replace the EU cross-Border directive following Brexit. As we know, large numbers of patients, typically those on long waiting lists, have obtained treatment and-or procedures in Northern Ireland, Britain and elsewhere, which were then paid for by this State. People have accessed treatment and procedures in a variety of areas such as orthopaedics and, in particular, for cataracts. The scheme has been of great importance in providing necessary care to so many people. The scheme is now run on an administrative basis. Legislation needs to be put in place to underpin this scheme for the long-term. Can the Taoiseach given an assurance that there will be no delay in bringing forward and enacting that legislation?

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