Liberal Vannin’s (LVP) press release, dated 24^th October, stated that the government had done nothing to help those that will be seriously affected by the cessation of the Reciprocal Health Agreement on 1^st April next year.

A newly released statement says that, strangely, the government seems quite determined not to do anything despite proposals being put forward to try and help the situation.

In Tynwald on Tuesday morning the Speaker, Steve Rodan, tabled a question for the Health Minister, Eddie Teare, regarding the progress of discussions with the Scottish parliament over putting in place a Reciprocal Health Agreement between Scotland and the Isle of Man.

In LVP’s view the response was disappointing to say the least. It would appear that Nicola Sturgeon, the Deputy Leader of the Scottish National Party and Deputy First Minister of Scotland, has expressed interest in entering into such an agreement and that the Isle of Man government had received a letter to this effect in May of this year. Mr Rodan asked several times if the Health Minister had directly responded to this communication. As the Minister would not answer this question directly LVP can only assume that he had not.

However, Mr Teare did reveal that he has written to Westminster to clarify whether or not the Scottish parliament has the authority to enter into an agreement with the Isle of Man and that he is not prepared to discuss the matter with the Scottish parliament until he has received a decision from Westminster.

As a supplementary question, LVP Leader, Peter Karran asked why the department has resisted his proposal to investigate the viability of introducing an entry and departure tax on all travel. He had suggested that the income from this could have paid for insurance for both Manx residents travelling to the UK and visitors to the Island.

From Minister Teare’s response there would appear to have been two reasons. Firstly, that the priority was to inform people that they needed travel insurance and secondly because it would not have been popular as people who are already lucky enough to have travel insurance would be paying twice for this cover. LVP believes that decisions about policies should not be based on how popular they are with the fortunate section of our society but should be based on what is right. A society is judged by how the weak and vulnerable are protected and cared for. LVP asks what sort of society are we creating if we allow the current government to now ignore the plight of those who will be affected most by the ending of the Reciprocal Health Agreement?

LVP says: “Shame on you, Minister Teare. You should not decide against doing the right thing on the basis that it will not give you enough time to do the wrong thing. Many residents pay for things twice. Some people have never been unfortunate enough to need to claim state benefits but their taxes are still used for those not as fortunate. Some people die before they reach pensionable age but they have still paid into this. Some people do not have children but their taxes are still used to educate the children of those people who do. The list goes on and on.”

The LVP spokesperson goes on to add: “Minister Teare, neither of your arguments makes sense. Nor does ignoring expressions of interest from other governments. Please rethink this matter and listen to any proposals that are made to try and find a solution.”