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

Deputy Ulick Burke and I soldiered together in our exile in Seanad Éireann and always got on well. Deputy Sheehan stated the reason he was not re-elected to the House. I, too, know why I was not re-elected. However, I am here now and happy to be here, as I am sure is Deputy Ulick Burke.

I was struck by the absence from the debate of these two salient characteristics, namely, Labour Party socialism where one targets money at those who need it and the Fine Gael characteristic of self-reliance. Both were absent from the debate as was Deputy Bruton. Last night, I watched "Tonight with Vincent Browne" on which Deputy Simon Coveney, the breakfast roll man, was a guest. It was interesting to listen to Deputy Coveney try to wriggle his way past questions relating to Deputy Reilly, who was not a guest on the programme. Deputy Reilly is not to be produced publicly for a while.

Deputy Reilly is the man who less than 12 months ago said that medical cards should not be indiscriminately awarded to everybody over the age of 70 years. How quickly he changed his mind. Of course, he was not at that time representing the IMO but was a Member of this House, which makes it even more amazing that he was able to say that.

Some 70 year olds with whom I spoke expressed to me their real fear that by some mischance Fine Gael and Labour and, whoever else they could bring with them — we know they have a few confréres, might form a Government. They genuinely do not want to see those parties in government.

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