Mary Fitzpatrick (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I offer my condolences to the family of Dr. Ali who died so tragically after looking after so many others. I also commend all the healthcare workers and professionals, and everybody who supports them to do their work. I congratulate the Minister on his appointment to the health portfolio. I am sure he will do a fantastic job. It must be a great honour for him to lead such an important Department.

I was brought up in a GP's practice as my dad was a GP. The practice was in our home and for more than 40 years it was a community-based, medical card practice looking after patients from Cabra, Phibsborough, the Navan Road and the north inner city in Dublin 7. I therefore understand the unique relationship patients have with their GP.It is incredible that although he has been retired for almost ten years people still talk to me about dad and mam every day, so what the Minister is doing here today is very valuable. It is giving people access to the GP and allowing every child under the age of 12 years to have the opportunity, regardless of who their parents are, to have access to GP care. I lived and worked in the United States and I was shocked by the commercialisation of it there. I remember a person collapsing on the street in front of me one day. Two ambulances pulled up and the first thing the medics did was go through the person's wallet and check for an insurance card.

I am proud that the Government has committed to the implementation of Sláintecare, which will bring about universal access to healthcare for people based on their medical need, not their ability to pay. I commend the Minister on bringing this legislative measure so swiftly to the Houses, and I urge all Members of this House to support and pass it. It is a step change and a strong signal of how this Government intends to deliver healthcare and make it available to people.

The Minister mentioned the GPs. As I said, I grew up in a practice so I know the enormous effort and commitment given by individual GPs, their families and support staff. GPs are under pressure. Far too many GP practices are struggling financially, and we do not have enough GPs. It is important that the Government has recognised this, is taking a phased approach to it and is addressing the issue in a managed way. We still have to contend with Covid-19 and it is great that the screening services are recommencing, but expanding the healthcare service and expanding access to it are important principles that the Government is not abandoning. It was not just an election slogan or something to put in the manifesto. It is real legislation that will be backed by action by the Minister and the Government. I commend the Minister on that.