Mr. Tony O'Brien:

"Probity" is a broad terms that relates to ensuring medical cards are issued in full compliance with the legislation and guidelines and also to ensuring medical cards not in compliance are no longer in force. That is the broad and accepted definition. It is important to stress that the figure of €113 million referenced by the Vice Chairman will not have an impact on eligibility. It is an estimate for the potential reduction in overall costs in one of the categories listed in the annual Estimates volume that could arise as a result of active measures designed to ensure the probity of the medical card scheme. As I said in my opening remarks, just as our function is to ensure there are no medical cards in force for which people are not eligible, it is equally our function - the communications strategy in place is has been designed this way - to ensure those who are eligible receive medical cards. The figure of €113 million does not change the eligibility criteria. It will lead us to a continuation and extension of the fair process in place to ensure by way of a review people will continue to be eligible; that if they are eligible, they will have the medical card to which they are entitled and if they are not so entitled, they will not. The consequence is that we will reviewing very substantial numbers. We have indicated that we expect to review in the region of 1 million medical card holders in 2014. What that will produce will only be determined by the review process. Therefore, it would not be wise, prudent or in the general interest to speculate on the outcome of individual reviews. I know there has been a tendency in the media to float various figures, but that it is likely to cause fear and alarm. The reality is that if people continue to be eligible, they will continue to hold their medical card or their GP visit card, as appropriate.