Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)

Those to whom I have spoken are clearly happy with the announcement that has been made. It is their view that they will come within the income limits. This, I believe, will help to instil a level of confidence again in the people, and indeed in the Government.

I welcome the efforts of the Taoiseach, the Minister for Finance and the Minister for Health and Children over the weekend to respond to the outcry we have seen over the past week and to find a solution to the problem. The process put in place, through consultation with the GPs and the increases in the income limits, while maintaining the budgetary framework, which is important from the Government's viewpoint, will help to instil confidence in those who were most worried and concerned. Unfortunately, the confusion that arose was of our making and we must take responsibility for that. However, there is a duty now on us to try to explain the message, the mechanism and the system that will be in place from here on, which as many speakers have indicated will more than adequately cover 95%.

See this speech in context