Michael Mullins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I join Senator Noone in asking the Leader to organise a debate with the Minister for Finance on the issue of inheritance tax. As she said, it is a particularly punitive tax and the thresholds need to be reviewed in the light of rising property and land prices. This tax is causing hardship for families who in many cases have to come up with large amounts of cash to pay the taxman following the death of a loved one. The matter needs to be addressed because we are certainly out of kilter with other countries in Europe on this tax.

I welcome yesterday's announcement by the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, that the Redress for Women Resident in Certain Institutions Act 2015 will come into force on 1 July. The primary purpose of the Act is to make provision for a broad range of health services free of charge to those who had been in the Magdalen laundries. These women were treated very badly by the State in the past and it is good to see that some efforts are now being made to redress the injustices inflicted on them.

The services to be provided include general practitioner, medical and surgical services; drugs, medicines and surgical appliances; nursing services; home-help services; dental and ophthalmic services; counselling services; chiropody services; and physiotherapy services. The Act also provides these women with exemptions from charges for acute inpatient services. These services are being provided in addition to the other suite of services announced earlier which include ex gratiapayments and pension top-ups. I welcome that this issue, which was never dealt with by any previous Administration, has been addressed by this Government. A major injustice that was inflicted on many unfortunate women is at last being put to right.