James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)

This morning's announcement by the Taoiseach on the issue of medical cards for those aged more than 70 years is undoubtedly a climbdown by a shamed Government which sought to save €100 million at the expense of those aged 70 years and upwards, including those aged more than 100. It does not matter how vulnerable one is or whether one is elderly, infirm or disabled, the Fianna Fáil-led Government would, if it could get away with it, take from them over and over again to make good its mistakes. The voice of the people roared in disgust and, in a move designed more to save the Government than to benefit pensioners, the Taoiseach backed away from certain political suicide. The problem, however, is that the Government did not climb down far enough. In a face-saving measure the Taoiseach amended the plan outlined by his colleague, the Minister for Finance, Deputy Brian Lenihan, rather than scrapping it outright. In taking over the reins the Taoiseach relegated his Minister to the status of a boy.

As for the Minister for Health and Children, the less said the better. Speaking on radio earlier today, Deputy Finian McGrath indicated that the Minister's inflexible stance on universal payments, of which she is not a fan, is the stumbling block to the complete removal of this appalling and disgraceful measure.

To have proposed to take €100 million from those aged over 70 years was criminal when one considers the sum would have barely covered the amount the Government squandered on dud e-voting machines for which it continues to pay and which it should have scrapped long ago.

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