Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)

The first question that comes to mind in regard to this legislation is whether there is a deliberate strategy on the part of the Government to remove the medical card provision for every citizen in the State over 70 years of age. Some weeks ago, Members sat in this Chamber with certain expectations when the budget was announced. We expected it to be a tough budget, that action would be taken to address the shortfall in public finances and that initiatives would be introduced in regard to job creation. Ultimately, we expected a strategy to bring us out of the difficult economic times in which we find ourselves.

None of those expectations was met in the budget. There was no job creation strategy and no strategy for public finance control. For the public, the budget inspired no confidence in a Government which seemed merely to be falling from one crisis to the next. What we received was crisis-driven government, and nothing has reflected that approach more than the decisions taken on the provision of medical cards to over 70s since the initial proposal was announced in the House on budget day.

When the financial position of an entire country is invested in the pyramid scheme that was the property bubble, these types of consequences are bound to ensue. The achievements of economic and social growth, where the economy works hand in hand with society so that ordinary people living in their communities begin to see the benefit of that economic growth, have been flushed down the drain because of the speculative behaviour of the Government in encouraging the property bubble. Like a junkie, high on the tax receipts from property speculation, the Government ignored every other aspect of the body politic and the harm being done to it. The Government was like a person fixing the roof of a house on a long, warm summer's day, reassuring the owner that all would be well. When the autumn rain came, however, we found out the truth, which is that the Government now sees fit to attack the old, the young and the disabled. Nothing typified this attack more than the withdrawal of the medical card from people aged over 70.

The introduction some years ago of the universal entitlement to a medical card for all persons aged over 70 years was welcomed by some and condemned by others. In life, we sometimes devise good ideas strategically and deliberate while, on other occasions, we stumble upon them accidentally. Whatever the Government's motivation for the provision of medical cards to the over 70s, the reality is that it was an effective measure. All the available research shows that an automatic entitlement to a medical card has led to a significant improvement in the overall health of this age group. In addition, it has resulted in Exchequer savings because of the reduction in the demand for hospital care and nursing home beds. In other words, the scheme is both beneficial to the health of the group concerned and cost effective for the State. Moreover, it may cost the State an additional €6 million to reintroduce a fee-paying structure. Therefore, the existing provision represents a more cost efficient system than what is currently proposed.

Why is the Government so adamant in its opposition to the universal provision of medical cards for over 70s given that it makes both medical and economic sense? Medical cards allow elderly people to monitor their health because there is no financial impediment to accessing primary care when it is needed. What is the philosophical basis for the Government's stance? The only answer I can arrive at is that the Government is hell bent on preventing or doing away with any type of universal provision. It has set out its stall in regard to third level fees. It is not a question of finances but of political philosophy. There are economic choices available to the Government. Therefore, this Bill represents a political statement rather an economic imperative.

Like other Members, I received telephone calls after the budget announcement from confused elderly people who were unsure whether their medical card would be revoked the next morning or on 1 January. Prior to the budget announcement, the system that was in place was simple. All persons who reached the age of 70 were entitled to a medical card for the remainder of their lives. There was consistency in that all members of the community were entitled to it on the same basis. This Bill will merely create confusion. Even those who remain eligible for a medical card are anxious and concerned that they will not receive it.

I understand from where Fianna Fáil is coming on this issue. Having been in bed with the Progressive Democrats for 15 years, it has developed some pillow habits with them. However, what about the Green Party? It appears to have only one agenda. It is like a religious cult. For as long as it is saving the planet, worldly things such as houses, medical cards and education are distractions from the greater good and the party should not get caught up with them. The party might roll out a backbencher to apologise to the rest of us but, ultimately, we are distracting it from its core issues.

I am grateful for the opportunity to speak on the Bill.

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