John Paul Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

I am glad to have the opportunity to say a few words on this motion and to commend the Minister, Deputy Reilly, on what is an extremely difficult job. Arguably, he has the most difficult job in the Government, which is to try to overhaul radically the health service at a time of reducing budgets. I decided to speak on this motion when I read its contents and Fianna Fáil Members have a barefaced cheek to propose a motion that mentions items such as the centralised medical card system, the introduction of which was overseen by that party just before it left office.

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