James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)

As we are having a little history lesson, may I remind the Deputy that I was only in the door as Minister for Health when I gave that interview on prescription charges and that I had not had the opportunity to examine every cupboard? I certainly was not given the opportunity to check behind all the radiators where certain other reports had been lost. The Deputy might ask his leader about those.

I stand and acknowledge fully that I sought to get rid of the prescription charge because I believed it could have been a barrier to some people maintaining medical care. It may have been to their detriment and at greater cost to the State. I hold that belief still but I am not in a position to repeal the charge because I do not have the extra €27 million. I need not remind the Deputy of the reasons for this.

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