Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Tá seanfhocal ann a deireann - Is cuma le fear na mbróg cá leagann sé a chos. Cuireann an seanfhocal seo Rialtas an Taoisigh i gcuimhne dom. The Taoiseach said there would be no change in these awful, spiteful, shameful, sleekit measures that the Government has brought in. The Taoiseach must be aware that senior citizens are outside protesting. They are deeply concerned about the reduction of the over 70s medical card, the ending of the bereavement grant, the axing of the telephone allowance and the increase in prescription charges. The Government has now targeted €113 million in cuts to the medical card system in 2014. This will result in thousands of citizens who need medical cards losing them. This is not an issue of communication or a lack of information. This is a policy decision by Fine Gael and the Labour Party.

Let us consider some examples, which I sent to the Taoiseach last week. Let us take Kate McShane from Drogheda. She is just over a year old and has Down's syndrome. She has required heart surgery and will require long-term GP and hospital care. Let us take Ryan Healy, a seven year old with a congenital heart condition. He has been denied a medical card and so has Kate. To deny the full medical card to sick children reliant on medication is punitive, petty and unfair.

While the Taoiseach claims the Government is moving towards universal free GP care, it actually is moving in the exact opposite direction. The Government again has set its face against reversing any of these budget measures, which means that come what may or whatever happens, it will cut €113 million from those entitled to the medical card. The Taoiseach should outline to Members his vision of the type of small country that will emerge from these austerity policies. The Government is making the State the worst small country in the world in which to be sick or to grow old. The Taoiseach should outline his vision. What will be the product of these austerity measures? Will it be the best small country in the world for bankers and the elites? The Taoiseach should tell Members.

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