Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

The Minister has made a mistake on the issue of medical cards. Last week, people had been conditioned to expect tough measures and were prepared to accept a difficult budget if it targeted problem areas which need to be reformed to return the country to a path of recovery. Elderly people who are not part of the problem were targeted last week. Despite the political stunt we saw this morning as the Government sought to defuse political tension, those aged over 70 years remain nervous, unhappy and distressed. Under the new so-called means test, an automatic entitlement to a medical card will apply to those with an annual gross income of less than €36,500, which is below the average industrial wage. Those excluded will not be wealthy former bank managers, senior civil servants or politicians but pensioners who previously enjoyed middle incomes. They expected protection from the State and had planned their future on that basis. The measure should be reversed and the House should support the motion.

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