Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

I have responsibility for health and, clearly, in the context of health budgets, we can give directions to the HSE. I do not have such authority with regard to the Revenue Commissioners, except to note that the intention is that the subsidy will go to enhance the tax benefit for older people. This is not introduced as a revenue raising measure but simply to make and keep health insurance affordable for those over 50, particularly those over 70 and 80.

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