asked the Minister for Health if he has considered amending Article 6(3) of the Health Services Regulations, 1971, Statutory Instrument No. 105 of 1971, which precludes a health authority from making a grant towards the hospital and medical expenses of a person injured in a road traffic accident where such injured party has been deemed to be 50 per cent or more negligent.

Article 6 of the Health Services Regulations, 1971, specifies the classes of persons for whom free hospital services shall be made available under the Health Acts.

Sub-article (3) of article 6 excludes from this provision persons who require treatment for injuries received in a road traffic accident except where the chief executive officer of the appropriate health board is satisfied that the applicant has not received or is not entitled to receive damages or compensation from another person in respect of the injuries.

In general this provision has worked well. I have been asked by one health board to consider an amendment of sub-article (3) and this request is being examined.