John Whelan (Labour) | Oireachtas source

While I have my differences with Senator Ó Clochartaigh, I agree with him that the reported statement in today's media by the Minister for Health, Deputy Reilly, that the Government is considering the withdrawal of medical cards from cancer patients deemed to be not terminal will cause unnecessary worry in the community. That would be a horrific decision. The HSE should get its house in order in so many other areas before calling to the door of cancer patients. This proposal should be vehemently resisted. Some clarification on this issue by the Minister would be welcome.

I call on the Leader to commend at the earliest opportunity the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Shatter, on finally responding to an issue raised many times in this House during the past 18 months, including by way of two Private Member's motions, namely, the appointment of a charities regulator. This is long overdue and flows from a provision in the 2009 Act which was never implemented. It is something for which the Seanad can take some credit having led the charge on it. The Minister, Deputy Shatter, was in this House twice during the past 18 months to respond to motions calling for the appointment of an independent charities regulator. Following wide-ranging consultation with the charities sector, which has at its disposal more than €5 billion annually in resources and includes more than 8,000 registered charities, this will happen. The appointment of an independent charities regulator is important to the sector and for public confidence in it in terms of their ongoing generosity to charities.

We must ensure that the State funding invested in this area is used for the purpose for which it is intended, namely, to help people in need. I would welcome it if the Minister could attend the House to outline both the timeframe for establishing and the structures relating to this office in respect of which he has finally reached agreement.