James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)

Many people have questioned why I might have changed my stance on this issue. After seven years of universal provision of the medical card for over 70s, what was originally a political stroke has proven to be a serious social and public health gain for all the people in that age group. This has been one of the most important debates in this House in many years and I am honoured to be part of it. I also feel honoured to be able to stand up in this Chamber for my father's generation. This is the generation that paid 60% tax, that educated itself in the absence of free education, that emigrated en masse before returning to work to make this country what it is today.

The motion before the House is a simple one. It calls on the Government to reverse its decision to remove universal health care from the over 70s. It urges the Government to stop tinkering at the edges, with its confusion and minimalist concessions. We have had five changes to the income threshold in recent days. To cause even further confusion, the thresholds have moved from net income to gross income. We have been told that the people at whom this measure is aimed are millionaires. The reality, however, is that the gross threshold means that the garda married to the nurse will not be entitled to a medical card. The nurse married to the teacher may not qualify. These are not millionaires. They are the ordinary people of middle Ireland, the people who have worked hard, defended us, raised us and nourished us.

I said in this Chamber last night that the Government is out of touch with the people and out of sync with its backbenchers and that thousands would descend upon this House today if it did not reverse its decision. That is what happened. I was out there today and it was an extraordinary sight to see people on walking aids and in wheelchairs — 15,000 elderly people from the four corners of this country. And what was it all for? For the sake of €20 million, as the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, told us yesterday. This sum could have been found by putting an additional 10 cent on a packet of cigarettes. Some €20 million, and much more besides, could have been secured from the bankers who got off very lightly.

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