Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

The announcement made this morning was for the purpose of allaying the concerns of the people involved in this situation. As I stated, approximately 95% of people who had cards in the past will retain them under the new arrangements. The core decision and the requirement for a core budget arithmetic to be respected is incorporated in the revised scheme brought forward in the interests of providing a sustainable way forward. The principle the Deputy enunciates today was not advocated by his party when this measure was introduced. One can quote from various Deputies in the House on the other side who did not agree with universal entitlement for their own reasons.

At a time of depleting resources, there is a need to target resources in a whole range of areas in the health sector for people most in need, and this principle comes into very sharp focus in the exceptional economic times in which we live. Therefore, we have sought in this case to allay public concern. In political terms, there may be some disappointment if it starts to be allayed as a result of the decision this morning but it is important in the public interest that the concern is allayed.

I have expressed profound regret to any family or individual who, because of the way in which the matter was being portrayed or as a result of our failure to communicate properly, felt they were not going to continue with an entitlement because more than 70% of the people concerned were going to retain their medical entitlement.

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