Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)

As a result of this collective Government decision, the concept of universal health care is dead. Those aged over 70 years considered the medical card to be a sacred cow which provided them with reassurance, comfort and security. It was one of the most effective instruments of primary care ever introduced. A medical card for a person aged more than 70 years cost €1,650 per annum to the State. The availability of the card meant a large number of people did not have to go to hospital where a stay of one night costs as much as the annual cost of the medical card. For this reason, the budget measures on medical cards do not make sense.

In County Kerry 13,500 people aged more than 70 years have medical cards. If even 5% — the figure cited today — of this group are deprived of their medical cards, 670 elderly people will be affected. This is bound to put pressure on services in Kerry General Hospital and elsewhere. Even at this stage, I appeal to the Minister and sensible members of the Government, of whom I am sure there are still a few, to withdraw the measure, even on financial and economic grounds.

Tomorrow, thousands of people will gather on the street outside the House. In my 21 years as a Deputy I have never seen old people being forced to come to the House to publicly demand and fight for their rights. Surely this sends a message to the Government. I doubt the Minister is completely deaf and hope she is listening and watching.

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