Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

It is not affordable and countries which have it are quickly trying to withdraw from such schemes because of the difficulty in funding them. Apart from the funding issue, there is the issue of equity and fairness. If everybody has something, it means others cannot have something that they need. I accept that when a benefit has been introduced, it is a different story to withdraw it. We all know the history of political parties which withdrew measures and the consequences. People feel cheated by such action because they make plans based on decisions that have been made. They are entitled to do this and certainty. I am not a fan of giving a medical card to the children of the very well-off when those who are not so well off do not have a medical card for their families.

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