Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

——and defend the right that the Taoiseach's party gave them to have a medical card on reaching 70 years. He can prevent the ignominy of the cowardice of his Government's members when going up those stairs tomorrow evening to vote for a decision they know in their hearts is wrong. Principle and courage are required and this could have been done in an entirely different way. The elderly sector should not be segmented into those who have cards and those who do not.

Before leaving for China, will the Taoiseach stand up and say his Government got this wrong, that he is sorry, that he is withdrawing it, will leave the elderly with their cards and the universal principle will apply under Fianna Fáil? They have said over the years they will look after the sick, the old, the vulnerable, the lonely and the isolated.

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