Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The acting leader of the Opposition, Senator MacSharry, raised an important question about discretionary medical cards for people who have serious illnesses. As he mentioned, since 2011, 22,584 individuals who were previously recorded on the medical card register as eligible for those cards are now, because they meet the income eligibility requirements, registered as ordinary medical card holders. As Senator MacSharry stated, the number of discretionary medical cards has been reduced although many of the people who had those discretionary cards now qualify as ordinary medical card holders. The official position, which I have in front of me, is that there is not and never has been an automatic entitlement to a medical card for persons with a specific illness. That has been the position since the Health Act 1970. There is no legal basis for a cancer or motor neuron medical card. I believe that the Government has a moral obligation in cases in which people who have such serious illnesses should be looked after. However, Senator MacSharry's question is answered by the fact that the majority of those 22,000 people qualify for an ordinary medical card.

Senator MacSharry also raised the question of the lack of Garda resources in regard to checkpoints. I understand from the information I have to hand that there were more checkpoints this year than there were in recent years. A request regarding crime statistics was also made. Perhaps we can arrange for the Minister for Justice and Equality to come to the House to discuss the points the Senator raised and the crime statistics requested by Senator Mullins.

Senator Bacik referred to the success of Culture Night, which was very successful not only in Dublin but throughout the country. That point was also made by several other Senators from other constituencies.

On the matter of EU directives, as Senator Bacik stated, we had a formative debate on EU directives last week. It is something we have tried to set out in the Seanad for a long time and we are now doing it without any of the resources that we requested last year. We are doing it from our own resources and will continue to do it in the future, and I thank all the Members for their co-operation in that regard.

Senators van Turnhout, Moran and others raised the issue of child beauty pageants, which was highlighted by Senator van Turnhout in the House last week. I am glad she highlighted it. The fact that the French Senate has banned these pageants is to be welcomed. I compliment Senator van Turnhout on highlighting the situation here last week.

Senators Barrett and Byrne congratulated Patricia Storey on becoming a Church of Ireland bishop. We would all join in congratulating the new bishop on her appointment.

Senator Barrett also alluded to the future of the Seanad, to which other Members also alluded. I understand Senator Barrett will be attending a debate on the issue in Galway tonight. He made some very telling points.

Senator Barrett also made a point regarding the linking of Heuston Station with Connolly Station, an idea which the Minister, Deputy Varadkar, took up and is now going to implement. That idea came from this House during a debate on a transport Bill. I am glad on another specific item that the Seanad was correct in suggesting that idea to the Minister.

Senator Mullins referred to the safe return of the gentleman from Galway who had gone missing from a nursing home over the weekend. We all welcome his safe return and we wish him well.

Senators Leyden and Colm Burke raised the matter of the carnage in the shopping centre in Nairobi. I am sure we would all like to extend our condolences to the families of all the people who were killed and injured in that horrific terrorist attack. Senator Leyden also mentioned the question of Syria and Pakistan where a number of Christian worshippers were also slain.

Senator Moran welcomed the public consultation process promoting inclusiveness in Irish schools and outlined that it is an opportunity for parents to express their views in this regard. I note the request she made once again. We were told the publication of the Walsh report on symphysiotomy was imminent. I will find out again the position regarding it. I cannot understand why there are further delays in publishing that report when we were told that its publication was imminent several months ago.

Senator Norris gave a robust defence of the Seanad and he is looking for more honesty and decency in politics. He certainly gave his stirring views on the Seanad referendum.