Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

Some people have moved beyond the income guidelines. If salaries increase, some are no longer entitled to cards and do not get them. However, those who are entitled to cards get them. That is how the system has always worked.

Some 1,149,000 people are covered by medical cards, a situation which improves day by day. Moreover, the Tánaiste has made changes never before made by any Minister for Health and Children. If the Deputy wants me to give glowing praise to the Tánaiste, I certainly will, because she introduced the changes on child care——

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