Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

I intend to share time with Deputy Barry Andrews, if that is in order.

I move amendment No. 1:

To delete all words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following:

"acknowledges:

the Government's expression of regret for the anxiety caused among older people in recent days and welcomes the new initiative to allay that anxiety;

supports:

the decision by the Government to introduce a revised scheme with a gross weekly income threshold of €700/€1,400 (single/couple) (€36,500/€73,000 p.a.) for eligibility for a medical card for persons aged 70 and over so that approximately 330,000 persons aged 70 and over will continue to have a medical card;

recognises:

that this initiative is within the context of the budgetary parameters set by the Government for the Health Service Executive;

supports:

the Government's move towards a single capitation payment to general practitioners in respect of medical card holders aged 70 and over and the process now to be undertaken to advance this;

looks forward:

to the work to be undertaken in association with the Irish Medical Organisation under the chairmanship of Dr. Michael Barry to achieve savings in drug usage, without compromising patient care; and

supports:

the Government's policies to build a fair and equitable healthcare system by focusing public resources on those in most need."

It is important to put in context the one idea we are talking about tonight, namely, the Fine Gael motion which seeks to reverse the decision to end automatic entitlement to a medical card for those reaching the age of 70. When the Government discussed this, it was not in a theoretical sense or as a matter of principle or policy. We did not have a seminar in relation to the issue. We discussed it in the context of the most difficult economic circumstances this country has faced in two decades.

See this speech in context