Michael Kennedy (Dublin North, Fianna Fail)

I remind our colleagues in Opposition that not alone has the Minister increased the figure by €7 this year, but it is now €230 per week on top of all the other free items senior citizens are given. We should recognise that Fianna Fáil, in successive Governments over the last number of years, has substantially increased the benefits to our senior citizens. I challenge anybody from Fine Gael and Labour to dispute that fact.

In lobbying hard last week for the changes to the medical card, I was conscious of the enormous number of views being expressed to me and, indeed, to all Deputies. As a Fianna Fáil backbencher I broadly welcome the changes now made to the medical card.

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