James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In response to Deputy Healy's point, as somebody who worked in the system for 25 years I find it very strange that someone would get a discretionary medical card with an expiry date seven or eight years out. Discretionary medical cards on the basis of medical need are for people who find themselves in an acute situation - very often, sadly, those who are terminally ill. This is where the discretion is shown. If this was raised under the heading of probity I would be investigating it, because I find it weird that someone would get a medical card for seven years on a discretionary basis.