Mary Moran (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I welcome yesterday's announcement by the Minister for Health, Deputy Leo Varadkar, regarding the review of medical cards, particularly discretionary medical cards. I have long argued that discretionary medical cards should be afforded to all people with disabilities or life-threatening or long-term illnesses, regardless of their financial income. While I welcome the Minister's remarks and the review that was mentioned, I also ask that he come before the House for a debate on medical cards, particularly discretionary medical cards, and the changes to the system as soon as possible.

I again ask the Leader for a debate on the allegations of sexual abuse by members of the provisional republican movement. I called for such a debate last week. Further troubling reports have been made in recent days regarding the movement of alleged child abusers. The fact they were moved across the Border is worrying for people throughout the country, particularly those living in the Border regions, including my home town, which has been mentioned. It is a matter of the utmost importance and should be debated in the House as a matter of urgency. Deputy Gerry Adams stated that names were posted anonymously through the letterbox in his Belfast home. I would like to know when he received that information and express my surprise that somebody could simply walk up to his house in Belfast and put something through his letterbox. I ask that these questions be answered.

I refer to the comments made by Deputy Adams in Enniskillen on Monday. At a time when we are trying to move on, to say that those comments were unhelpful is putting it mildly. I ask the Leader to address these matters and have an urgent debate as a matter of priority.