Direct provision reform
Deputy Gerry Adams criticised the direct provision system’s treatment of refugees, including restrictions on work and education and inadequate allowances, but was repeatedly prevented from debating the matter.
Ba mhaith liom ceist a chur ar an Taoiseach faoi the Health (General Practitioner Service) Bill 2015 and the international protection Bill.
On the second Bill, the direct provision system is 15 years old this month, but it has been widely condemned for the ill-treatment of refugees who are denied the right to work and are paid a derisory living allowance.
They have to pay €2.50 for each prescription out of their €19 allowance and those who have completed the leaving certificate cannot progress to third level education. The Taoiseach previously told me that the report of the working group chaired by Mr. Justice Bryan MacMahon would be published by Easter but Easter has gone. The Minister of State, Deputy Ó Ríordáin, is quoted as saying it will be published by the end of next month. The Taoiseach gave a definitive date of when it will be published. Will he commit to holding a debate in the House when it is published? Has the Government agreed a firm date for the publication of the international protection Bill?
The Health (General Practitioner Service) Bill 2015 is to provide free GP service for all persons aged 70 years and over. The Government has agreed a new contract with the Irish Medical Organisation for free GP care for children under the age of six and this is opposed by the National Association of General Practitioners. Will GPs who do not agree to the new contract lose-----
Comment on this
No, Deputy, we cannot go into long debate and discussion on the Order of Business. It is nearly ten minutes and we have only had two people on the Order of Business, which is about promised legislation.
Comment on this
As the Ceann Comhairle knows I am generally very brief.