Mary White (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)

The provisions for those 70 or over, but whose spouses are under 70, are also sensible and fair, as are the provisions for those who are over the threshold because of low net income or surgical or medical expenses. That is factored into the legislation. I would not be standing here if this was not a reasonable item of legislation. These provisions are equitable and important.

The amendment of the Health Contributions Act, so that the health levy will not be payable by our senior citizens, is also an important component of this legislation. Within the context of this legislation, the Government's action in trying to find potential savings in drugs costs must be acknowledged. Dr. Michael Barry's report on potential saving for public funds on drugs while ensuring responsible prescribing is an important contribution to this legislation. I hope the Department gives this report urgent and focused attention. The impact of prescriptive drugs inflation on the State can be addressed in a meaningful way in this review. These are important provisions. It is very easy to knock but if one reads the legislation, one will see good things in it.

I was pleased to read in the IMO's submission on the issue of a single capitation fee for GPs in respect of medical card holders that savings of €80 million can be found in drugs costs. This legislation leaves medical care for our senior citizens almost the same as in 2001 when universal entitlement of a sector of society did not exist. Perhaps Deputy Bannon knows that the Fine Gael health spokesperson was not in favour of granting universal health care at the time.

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