Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I join my colleagues in complimenting Senator Colm Burke on introducing this Bill to the House. I know full well the amount of time and effort he has put into it. The Minister and the Department have been talking about introducing such a Bill for a number of years, yet when a Member of the House introduces one, irrespective of whether the Department believes it is flawed, it is not accepted. It could be amended on Committee Stage. I am disappointed that the Bill has not been accepted and question why the Department is dragging its heels on it. That is what is happening. People have been talking about indemnity for medical practitioners for the past three to five years. I am disappointed, therefore, that the Department has been dragging its heels in dealing with this matter.

The Minister has stated he will take on board quite a number of sections in Senator Colm Burke's Bill when the Government introduces its own legislation. When are we likely to see that Bill? If it has been postponed, as it has been for a number of years, we will not see it before the Government's term is up. For that reason, I compliment Senator Colm Burke. I acknowledge the consultations he has had with many people in drafting the Bill and I am disappointed that it is not being accepted, as I believe it could be amended on Committee Stage. It is welcome that many parts of the Bill will be included in the Government's Bill, but I question when the latter will be brought before this House or the other.