Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

On the medical cards, to give effect to Government policy it will be necessary to provide in legislation for both the repeal of section 1 of the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2001 and the withdrawal of eligibility from those currently in possession of medical cards under the Act whose income is above the threshold announced by the Government on Tuesday. This issue was raised by our colleagues in the Labour Party on the basis of the Interpretation Act, but that does not arise.

There has been an announcement to the effect that, in respect of those over 70 years of age, the thresholds will be annually reviewed to take cost of living increases into account during the Government's lifetime. A legislative measure is unnecessary.

On the Competition Authority——

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