Terry Brennan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Many hospice associations throughout the country provide services. Men and women from throughout the country give up their time and take time off work to transport very sick and ill people to various hospitals in Dublin. Those who volunteer consider it an honour and an act of mercy but there is an issue I wish to take up with the Minister for Health. In many cases these people have costs with regard to tolls and petrol but the cost of car parking at hospitals in Dublin is astronomical. Last week I spoke to a young man who took a very ill person to Dublin. He collected him at 6 a.m. and he did not get home to his lonely cottage until almost 6 p.m. He waited for four or five hours in Dublin for his appointment. Is it possible to discuss the matter of hospital car parks in the House? I am sure it is of concern to other colleagues in various parts of the country. The car parks are run by private concerns. Concessions in hospital car parks throughout the country should be considered for the volunteers doing an act of mercy.