John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I congratulate Deputy Reilly and Fine Gael on bringing this motion before the House. I have only a couple of minutes but I want to convey to the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, and to the Government the real depth of feeling that all of us have encountered in our offices and clinics and on our telephones over recent days. The Government's action has caused unnecessary fear and hurt and confusion, because of the changes that were made or announced daily. Some calculations, like that of today, are based on gross income. Last week's were based on net income and that change caused further confusion. People felt fear, because they felt they would lose their independence and that their families would have to pay for them in their old age. They were hurt, because these are the people who never complained all their lives but worked hard, only to have this taken away from them when they might have enjoyed some little comforts in their old age.

These are the people who grew up in difficult economic times of the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s, when they got little or no assistance from the State to raise their families. The breadwinner usually had to emigrate and send money home to feed the children. These are the people who paid the high taxes of 60% in the 1970s and 1980s when Fianna Fáil-led Governments told us all we had to tighten our belts. The only comfort they got was when they reached 70 years of age and got their medical card, seeing it as thanks for the sacrifices they made during the hard times. These are the people for whom the world darkened last Tuesday as a result of this savage budget. The changes announced almost daily since then have just added to the confusion, fear and hurt. Medical cards allowed people to be cared for at home and in their communities. The card, with all its ancillary services and benefits, plays an essential part in supporting older people to live independently within their communities for as long as possible. Independence is very important for old people. It was taken away last Tuesday and I ask everybody to support this motion to restore that independence to the old people of this country.

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