asked the Minister for Health whether his attention has been called to the recent Supreme Court decision, in the case of Walsh v. South Cork Board of Assistance, wherein the contention was upheld that there is no legal responsibility on the local authority for negligence in the case of a non-paying or poor-law patient; and if he will take early steps to amend the law in this respect.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Poor-law Patients—Court Decision.
The answer to both parts of the question is in the affirmative.
I am not yet, however, in a position to specify the manner in which it is contemplated to amend the law to meet cases of this kind, but the question is being examined.
May I take it the Minister is favourable to an amendment of the law in this very important matter?
As a matter of fact, there will be some amendment of the law in Section 10 of the Bill that is going through the Dáil.
Will it cover cases of this kind?
I would not say fully.
If anything further is required in that direction, will the Minister promise to examine it?
We will examine that.