David Norris (Independent)

I move amendment No. 10:

In page 14, lines 4 and 5, to delete "during the person's lifetime" and substitute "for a period of no less than 1095 days".

If I am correct, this amendment specifies a period of no less than 1,095 days. While I have made the argument on this point previously, I will restate it. It is questionable for the executive to determine that someone is unlikely to cease to require services, should the executive wish to prove that someone needs long-term care and wishes to set up the financial arrangements now, rather than after 30 consecutive days. This can be approached in the manner I have suggested in the amendment. In the opinion of my advisers, this would be a better way of doing it, which would clean up the situation and open up the possibility of hope. This was the point I made the last time, namely, that it would not act to seal people in. I will leave that point before the Minister of State.