Ann Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge that we need to protect the most vulnerable in society and I am proud to say Ireland has a good record on this. The record stands up internationally.

That aside, the quality of Private Members' business that we are getting in the House should be questioned. This debate seems to be almost a rerun of the debate that we had last week. As Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan will remember, I prefaced my comments last week by saying that just because a person sits on that side of the House does not mean that he has a monopoly on sympathy, empathy or any of the emotions that they like to portray. What we have on this side of the House is a responsibility and if it had existed on this side of the House when it should have, we might not be in the situation we are in. We need to remind the public about that constantly. It was the fault of Fianna Fáil and this is the reason we are debating these issues tonight and the public should be reminded of that at every turn. I realise those in Fianna Fáil do not like to be reminded of it but we should remind them and it should never be forgotten that this is the reason we are here. There is a collective amnesia among those in Fianna Fáil and they would like to be able to forget that they had any hand, act or part in this episode, but they did.

I wish to address some of the issues raised in the Private Members' motion. I am sure older people do not want to be pressurised about means testing or application forms. This is something no one likes no matter what their age. I have spoken on this issue on more than one occasion. Equally, I have outlined that much of the documentation being sent to constituents is far too complex in format and, as I have said previously, this has a natural tendency to put the fear of God into older people, especially those of advanced years.

Despite this, the fact remains that means testing is the most efficient and effective solution in determining who is eligible. In advance of such testing, I ask that documentation being sent out by the Department should reflect this sentiment and allow for a less formal tone and format to be used.

It must be pointed out that the Government has retained the core rate of State pensions. It has maintained free travel for the elderly, the free television allowance, the living alone allowance and the electricity and gas allowances for those aged over 80, as well as the carer's allowance and half-rate carer's allowance. The medical cards issue is something about which everyone is very passionate, as highlighted by the protests outside Leinster House. I will conclude by noting the elderly must be protected, which is the reason the Labour Party in government has maintained the core rate of State pensions and, as I stated, has protected free travel and fuel and television allowances, as well as electrical and gas allowances. In the straitened circumstances in which the Government finds itself, it is greatly to be commended on this.

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