Seán Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)

Indeed, the constituents of Meath will be made very well aware of the neglect and broken promises by this Government as regards medical cards. Monaghan, Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo, Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford, Wexford, Cork, Kerry, Galway, Mayo and Roscommon all have seen a massive reduction in the number of medical card recipients in the period between 1997 and 2005. This is a cop-out and the Minister of State knows it. This legislation does not go far enough. I would like more time to deal with this matter.

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