Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I will not put words in the Deputy's mouth and have no problem giving way if I misrepresent her personal position. However, I have heard criticisms from the Labour Party benches to the effect that millionaires now have a medical card if aged over 70 years. Although the Deputy may not have made them, they are on record.

I made exactly the same point with regard to free fees at third level and the Deputy seeks to misrepresent my position by arguing that I do not care about ordinary working people attending college. The Deputy has also stated no one on the Government benches understands child care. When social progressives such as the Deputy were in government, their commitment to child care amounted to a pilot programme costing €1 million.

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