James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)

——they believed it was a good deal and was the right thing to do in 2001, when they went around the country describing what great fellows they were for rewarding those who paid tax at 60% in the tough times. Why is it now such a bad idea? Where has the morality gone? My personal belief is that once Irish citizens have adequate food, clothes on their backs and roofs over their heads, they should be entitled to proper access to health and education regardless of their status, creed, race or religion.

The Minister intends to remove the saver clause, which states that in the interest of equity and fairness the medical card can be reissued for a three-year period on a once-off basis. Will that be removed for the over 70s or for everybody? Where was the early warning system in the Fianna Fáil Party? Was it asleep at the wheel or has it lost its social conscience?

What about the Green Party, with two senior Ministers, Deputies Gormley and Ryan, who were fully briefed on the issue, and one Minister of State, Deputy Sargent, all of whom voted for the budget presented by the Minister for Finance, Deputy Brian Lenihan? Has that party also lost its social conscience? Will the Tánaiste go ahead with her tutorials for backbenchers in her parliamentary party or have the Fianna Fáil voters in Donegal given her a tutorial?

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