Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick East, Fine Gael)

Does he care for people aged over 70 who are speaking on the Joe Duffy show and are telephoning us? I have no doubt they are also ringing the Minister. The measure will save a measly €100 million, while the banks have been given a guarantee of €500 billion. This is not on and must be reversed. The Minister should deal with this matter in his reply. When this measure was first introduced in 2001, many elderly people relinquished their VHI cover and may now find it difficult to get cover with the VHI or other health service providers. Even if they do, they will have to wait ten years before reaching the conditions they had before giving up their insurance. The decision must be reversed because it is nothing short of disgraceful.

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