I move: "That the report of the Select Committee on the National Health Insurance Bill, 1933, be printed."
Public Business. - National Health Insurance Bill, 1933—Report of Select Committee.
Report laid upon the Table.
Leas-Chathaoirleach
Before this motion is passed, I ask leave to make a short statement. When this Bill was being considered in Committee, the Minister wrote and informed the Committee that he objected to his officials appearing to give evidence before it, although he himself was prepared to give the Committee every assistance they needed. In the heat of the moment and relying upon my recollection of the Second Reading debate on the Bill, I protested against the Minister's action. I said that it was unreasonable, in view of the fact that the Minister himself had stated he knew very little about the Bill. I have since looked into the matter, and I find I was in error. What the Minister said was something very different from what I stated. These are the words he uttered on the Second Reading, as they appear in the Official Report: "I frankly admit I have not had very considerable experience of National Health Insurance myself." In view of that, I desire to withdraw what I said in Committee and to offer the Minister due and proper apology.
I thank the Senator for the statement he has made. I am satisfied that the statement was due to a misunderstanding on his part, and I am glad to accept the reparation he has made.
Question put and agreed to.