Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)

I am delighted to speak on the budget. Many Ministers were not too happy in Government Buildings today when they read the report about what they thought would solve the problem of the medical cards. A political correspondent had three wise words in the Irish Independent, "listen, learn and inform". Unfortunately, this Government does not listen, does not learn and fails to inform the public. It will pay the political price for its incompetence.

This was the worst budget in history, as previous speakers have said, and it has tarnished the reputation of the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste, the Minister for Health and Children and other Ministers. Hubert Humphrey, the American politician, stated: "It was once said that the moral test of Government is how that Government treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly; and those who are in the shadows of life, the sick, the needy and the handicapped." This budget failed miserably with all those groups, particularly our older people. Many Deputies, particularly those in Opposition, saw the large crowd turning up in Dublin, more than I have ever seen gathered in frustration and despair. The decision to withdraw medical cards for the over 70s shows how out of touch is this Government. A budget that was supposed to tax the fat cats and protect the vulnerable achieved the opposite effect. Since the budget was announced, we have had a series of announcements from the Minister for Finance. We had a panic reaction from him, the Taoiseach and various Ministers. The Taoiseach's intervention failed and prolonged the anxiety for many people.

We must have a universal health system. For those who have lived their lives, paid their taxes and reared their children, this is what they call patriotism, not what the Minister does. The Government must admit it got it wrong. During Private Members' Business, there will be an opportunity for the Government Deputies to support this Fine Gael motion.

The Government also got it wrong for our children.

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