Mary O'Rourke (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)

I am delighted to have an opportunity to speak today on the budget. Before I do, however, I wish to speak briefly about the medical card issue on which, it appears to me, there was a great deal of play acting. I regret that confusion arose between last week and early this week until the matter was cleared up. However, two characteristics of the main Opposition parties were absent in terms of the manner in which they dealt with this debate.

I will deal first with the Labour Party, members of which may want to respond to what I have to say. As I understand it, the Labour Party represents socialism, the essence of which is that those who deserve something get it, and those who do not deserve it do not. This allows one to target scarce resources at those most in need. I understood that to be the essence of socialism. It appears this is no longer the case because the Labour Party now wishes everybody over the age of 70 years to get a medical card, regardless of means.

Deputy Pat Rabbitte stated that he doubted there were 25,000 millionaires in Ireland. I am not a millionaire but I earn enough to ensure I do not need a medical card, a position I am glad to be in. I hope many others are in the position of being able to afford to meet their own medical expenses. I deserve no credit in this regard. I told the truth and was not the butt of endless jokes among a certain political party in this House as evidenced in the columns of a popular national newspaper.

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