Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I extend my sympathies to the family and friends of Andrew O'Donnell and Max Wall who, like many teenagers, were on their right-of-passage holiday after their leaving certificate when their lives were so tragically cut short. Their deaths in Greece are every parent's worst nightmare and a devastating blow to everybody who knew and loved them.

I welcome today's announcement that the Government is finally going to deliver on its promise to provide free GP care to children aged six and seven next month and that it has plans to extend GP cards to those on average incomes. There has been a lot of time to plan for these roll-outs. What has the Government done to boost capacity in the system in preparation for this?

In my constituency, Dr. Fiona Kelly had to close her surgery in Beara at short notice yesterday because she was not able to find locum cover. Dr. Kelly is taking her first family holiday since last summer, which was only made possible because a retired GP offered to cover for her. Unfortunately, that GP's medical insurance expired at midnight on Sunday and despite attempts to extend it by a day, it was not possible.

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