Geraldine Feeney (Fianna Fail)

Perhaps an allowance could be made in such cases. There are still growing families. One need only look around here to see that.

Senator Henry made a case for the post-polio group. I am sure such people do not like to be called victims. I am a member of the Joint Committee on Health and Children to which the Post Polio Support Group made a presentation in recent months. The members of the group are to be admired. They pointed out to us the growing cost of visits to a GP and the cost of drugs. Some 200 people are affected. These people are not young, they are all getting on and I would like to see them looked after.

As Senator Minihan already said, the Government is committed to the health service and will continue to be committed. I have no doubt that with the Minister as head of the Department, she will drive this and will give us value for money. On other occasions when she has been in the House the impression she has given was that of a caring Minister, especially where people's lives were being affected. I wish her well in her new portfolio. As spokesperson on health she can always rest assured of my support in this Chamber.