Sean Barrett (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I echo the sympathies expressed to the McAughtry and Kelly families and, in their time of sadness, thank the McFadden family and the people of Athlone for receiving so many Members of the Oireachtas last week. I compliment the Government on today being the first day of the abolition of the travel tax. The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Varadkar, and the Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Brian Hayes, were in TCD yesterday to announce that measure. There already are 20 new European routes and this summer, four airlines will provide a service between Ireland and Canada. It is predicted there will be 1 million additional passengers and 1,000 additional jobs, which is commendable support for the tourism sector.

I also welcome yesterday's report that the Central Bank shortly will become the regulator of the VHI. This is not a criticism of the Minister but when one examines the website of the Department of Health, one can see the practice whereby it states "The following table sets out the names of those bodies and agencies operating under the aegis of the Department of Health to which the Minister makes nominations/appointments". Included in this table are both the Health Insurance Authority and Voluntary Health Insurance. In other words, the Minister owns one of the teams and chooses the referee. For a very long time, Europe has asked that this position should cease and I hope it now will so do. Finally, I ask that No. 11 on the Order Paper be taken today and I ask for the Leader's support in that regard.