Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Last year, the Department of Health and Children spent €61,000 designing and printing a national action plan. I do not know what the plan was, but it certainly did not work because the Department is in disarray. A further €57,000 was spent on a booklet giving people information about the family income supplement. The Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources spent €72,000 on a booklet explaining the "makeITsecure" campaign. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food spent €1 million on mobile phones. In light of the information I have given, it is a disgrace that the Government is trying to take medical cards from those over the age of 70. When the Fianna Fáil backbenchers go home this weekend, they will know all about it.

See this speech in context