Robert Dowds (Dublin Mid West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Presumably, Mr. Hennessy will work on that issue. It seems to be an obvious area in which to reduce costs without an adverse effect on patients, which would be to everyone's benefit.

I have a question about the current position on discretionary medical cards and how they are being dealt with. I do not believe everyone should receive a discretionary medical card if they have a serious condition because some people can clearly afford to pay. Is there a need for a local input in that regard, which was the case in the past? If an administrator is dealing with an issue from afar, it is very difficult to fully appreciate the individual circumstances of any given person.