McAleese expected to refer fees legislation to Supreme Court
22/12/2004 - 07:56:57It appears increasingly likely that President Mary McAleese will refer the Government’s new legislation on nursing home fees to the Supreme Court to test its constitutionality.
Mrs McAleese held discussions about the Health Amendment Act with the Council of State yesterday and is expected to make a decision today on whether to refer the legislation to the Supreme Court.
The act was rushed through the Oireachtas last week after the Attorney General warned that the practice of charging medical card holders for nursing home care was legally unsound.
The new legislation legalises the practice retrospectively and in the future.
Opposition parties have claimed it is designed to block compensation claims from nursing home residents who were illegally charged for their care.
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