Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

I want a commitment from Fine Gael and Labour that they will not adopt, or even consider, the series of further proposals that are being mooted in regard to a freeze on new medical cards until 2012, the slashing of home-help hours by 600,000 and the removal of 400,000 personal assistant hours. All of these proposals are under consideration and they are a further indication of what some of those within management in the HSE are prepared to do. The Minister has taken on responsibility. He has taken on accountability. Those were his own words. I ask him now to be both.

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