John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)

The Senators need to be assured on these issues and that is why I facilitated dialogue and consultation during the interval in the debate. The Senators raised the question of liability for the charge in circumstances where a person who is in long-term care due to ill health still owns but does not occupy what was their principal private residence. The Senator is correct that it was never the intention that the Bill should seek to charge people in this position or that any liability for the charge would apply in these circumstances. For the avoidance of doubt, I will seek advice on the matter before the Bill is debated in the Dáil and will take whatever steps are necessary to ensure that liability for the charge does not arise for such people. I give that undertaking to the House.