Property tax and free GP care
Pearse Doherty sought confirmation of the property-tax publication date and asked when promised free GP care legislation would be delivered; the Taoiseach said the health Bill was being drafted and the tax timetable would be announced in the budget process.
I ask the Taoiseach to clarify the position regarding the property tax. He mentioned previously that the legislation would be published on budget day. Is that still the case? I also ask him to update us on the health amendment Bill, which proposes to provide free GP services. When is it likely to be published and debated in the Dáil? The programme for Government committed to providing free GP care for claimants under the long-term illness scheme in the first year of Government but we are already nine months behind that target. When will it be delivered and what is causing the delay?
I welcome the publication yesterday of the report of the expert group on the judgment in A, B and C v. Ireland. I ask the Taoiseach to indicate whether the report will be debated in the Dáil next Tuesday and on another day next week. I suggest, given the importance of the issue and also the fact that we will have the budget next week, which should dominate discussions here, that he convene the Parliament on Monday. Sinn Féin would be happy to facilitate that so that we can have a dedicated discussion on the expert group report on Monday and Tuesday, because the rest of the week will be taken up with budgetary matters, as will much of the following week. I urge the Taoiseach to consider convening the Parliament on Monday so that we can discuss the report properly.
Comment on this
It is a matter for the Whips to make arrangements for the discussion on the expert group report. I have already said that ample time will be provided for Members to discuss the report and the Whips will work out the detailed arrangements.
The health amendment Bill referred to by the Deputy is being drafted by the Parliamentary Counsel.
In response to what Deputy Martin said earlier, I cannot recall the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Varadkar, promising any waivers in respect of the property tax. This will be part of the budgetary process and it will be up to the Minister for Finance to set out the schedule for the legislation to deal with it. I am sure he will do that next week.
Comment on this
I seek clarification because the Taoiseach said previously that the property tax Bill would be published on budget day. Is that now off the agenda? Will the legislation be published next week?