Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As I said previously, it is very regrettable that alterations have to be made to the eligibility criteria for medical cards for people over 70. However, the other side of that coin is the fact that more people will have medical cards and GP-visit cards at the end of this year than currently hold them because more people are coming into the marketplace all of the time and provision must be made for them.

I have been consistent in recent years in trying to ensure that the Department of Health monitors its expenditure on a monthly, if not weekly, basis to try to ensure that major cuts do not have to be made at the end of the year because spending was not monitored properly. The Minister and Minister of State are correct in doing that, even though this decision is difficult.

I am not trying to make a political point when I say that I am saddened that former Government Deputies who are now in opposition accept no responsibility whatsoever for the situation now affecting the nation. Deputy Finian McGrath may laugh at that and think it is funny.

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