Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

In joining colleagues in opposition to the second proposed grouping of propositions on the Order of Business, having been asked over yesterday and last night by several people who have telephoned me, I wish to raise an issue that has not been addressed or highlighted here this morning or heretofore. I refer to a large number of those people who currently hold the over-70s entitlement to medical cards whose medical cards expire at the end of this month or at the end of November. What is the situation with regard to the signalled end of this scheme if the Government parties and their Independent supporters continueto vote as they have already done this morning? What is the position with regard to the automatic renewal of those medical cards that will expire between now and the change the Government appears to be hell bent on bringing in? Shame on the Government for it? Will these medical cards be renewed? The entitlement is there, at least until such time as the Government applies its guillotine on that entitlement. It needs to be noted by hospitals, by general practitioners, by those providing the prescription needs of these people, that on the expiry of those cards and until such time as the decision is finally taken — if that is to happen and God forbid it does — these people's entitlement continues irrespective of whether the card has expired and no new card has issued. Will the Tánaiste clarify that point and will she at least give some temporary respite to those who fear that they will not get a renewed card over the intervening period?

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