Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)

However, I am delighted that the IMO has now acted very reasonably having regard to the financial limitations being imposed on us and the absolute need to achieve savings everywhere. The new capitation rate is €290 and it is envisaged that this will secure savings in the region of €16 million next year.

In my view, excess hysteria and deliberate confusion were whipped up about this controversial budgetary measure. Such was the intensity of the debate and the blurring of the facts that people over 70 were needlessly terrorised into thinking that the Government was hell-bent on removing the medical card from everyone over 70. The Government was deliberately demonised by those who were determined to embarrass it and they shamelessly played on the fears of every medical card holder in this country. This is despicable and inexcusable. Political opportunism was dressed up as feigned concern for the elderly and their fears and insecurities were brazenly exploited.

There is no doubt that the medical card issue was traumatic. People were outraged by the prospect of the removal of the medical card. They were worried, angry and frightened and their reaction provoked huge passion and public sympathy. I reiterate that I believe the Government was acting with honourable intent and that the bona fides of its proposal were completely genuine.

The Government is forced to operate within the current parameters for public spending and to do otherwise would be reckless and do untold damage to the country's long-term monetary strategy. As a public representative, I have spoken to several people who have serious concerns about their predicament. They were concerned about the hardship which this measure might inflict. Many of those who approached me were very anxious but when I asked what was their understanding of the measure they had assumed that the medical card would be discontinued for everybody, irrespective of their means or their ability to pay. They understood that the proposal would impose a blanket removal of the medical cards for everyone over 70 years of age. This was a myth which the Opposition chose not to dispel. On the contrary, the Opposition reinforced the myth because it wanted to cause needless confusion and despair among so many people. It is always difficult to revoke an entitlement which has been granted.

People become used to having that valuable facility and organise their spending accordingly. There is no doubt that many people would have been excluded from the medical card entitlement in its original form and this would have caused considerable distress and anguish to the over 70s and to their families who were to lose the entitlement by virtue of their means. This age group is vulnerable when it comes to their health and well-being. They are understandably concerned to ensure their future security and quality of life.

It is for that reason I am very happy that this Government behaved wisely and reacted swiftly and with sensitivity.

See this speech in context