David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 6:

In page 11, to delete lines 35 to 37.

On Second Stage I spoke in favour of the Bill and I am still in favour of the Bill. It is necessary and will join up services across hospital care and health care generally. I am very much in favour of this. It has been far too long coming. The previous Government should have done this a long time ago but I welcome this Government's commitment to moving this on.

I have tabled this amendment, which is to remove section 5, because in the Bill itself we have a statement that possession of an identifier does not necessarily qualify a person for health services. We have a lack of clarity in this State about exactly what people are qualified and eligible for and, I would say, entitled to from our health services.

We had many promises from previous Fianna Fáil-led Governments to publish the eligibility for health and personal social services Bill. At the time, we had calls from the Opposition, both from the Minister of State's party and that of the current Minister, Deputy Reilly, for the publication of this Bill along with other Opposition spokespersons. It has been reported that this issue will be addressed in the Minister's draft White Paper on universal health insurance. The problem is we have not seen that. Maybe it is in the White Paper and it will become a reality at some point but because of the statement in this Bill about people not qualifying for health care simply because of having an identifier, I cannot support this section, so I am tabling this amendment.

I guess the Minister will not accept the amendment. I will support the Bill and I am tabling this amendment on a point of principle more than anything. I hope the Minister will be able to take on board this constructive contribution and that in due course people will have a legal entitlement to health care in this State.