Maire Devine (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Great. We have worked hard over the year to set these agreements, memorandums and partnerships in motion to avoid duplication of services on this small island. Amendment No. 12 refers to the "European Health Insurance Card" and the "recognition of professional qualifications", both of which are important. I suppose I am speaking for nursing staff who find it difficult to know where they will be in this scenario. The NHS was set up and underpinned by hundreds of thousands of Irish nurses. We are trying to attract Irish nurses and indigenous English-trained nurses to come to Ireland. The "Bring them Home" campaign did not prove to be attractive. The barriers that will go up because of the red tape associated with Brexit will make it much less attractive to try to get nurses back to their country of origin. This amendment refers to the EHIC, which is known as the E11 card. Irish citizens in the North and in Britain are concerned about this issue. The Taoiseach and others have said that Irish citizens in the North will never again be left behind by an Irish Government. In the interests of such citizens, I ask that the situation with regard to the E11 card be assessed in the aftermath of Brexit. We need to know what impact Brexit will have on services in its aftermath. I hope the Minister of State will give a commitment to completing a review. I will not push amendments Nos. 11 or 12. I take the Minister of State at his word when he says that a review will take place within the confines of the health committee of these Houses. I appreciate that. I will withdraw amendments Nos. 11 and 12. I will also withdraw amendments Nos. 13 and 14, which are smaller technical amendments.