Alex White (Dublin South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I can agree to an extent with Deputy Cowen in respect of the discussion on the future and how we approach it. Deputy Cowen probably does have a point with regard to how we all debate and discuss the future, now that we are emerging from the traumatic crisis we have been in for the past number of years. We must think more carefully about what we say we can achieve in the future and what is achievable in the country. We must look at what undertakings we make in future election campaigns. All of us need to take care with regard to how we assess the possibilities and how we say we will raise revenue to provide certain public services. The politics of the promise is an interesting concept for examination by all sides of the House. Perhaps we all need to look at how best we can have a good public political discourse in the future. I have no difficulty with that. A certain amount of humility all around the House might go a long way. As we look to the future we should do so in an honest fashion and we should be able to show people precisely how we will achieve what we want to achieve, such as, for example, universal access to primary care.

I am still waiting for Deputy Kelleher to say whether he agrees with the announcement on children under six years of age. I know Deputy Ó Caoláin agrees with it, but I am not sure yet about Deputy Kelleher. Perhaps he will tell us one of these days whether he agrees with it. Regardless of whether he does or not, he will agree that we must be careful and honest with the people in terms of looking to the future.

I believe this Government has striven effectively to limit the worst excesses of what could have occurred and was intended to happen in the bailout years. We have achieved a great deal in terms of taking the worst edges off the cuts and revenue increases that were necessary to bring the public finances into order.

The measures in this legislation are not ones that anybody wishes to be obliged to propose, to row back on an entitlement that was given to a certain group. However, it has been done in the best possible way in terms of ensuring fairness. A relatively small number of people are affected and, most importantly, 93% of the over 70 years of age cohort will still have access to free GP care.

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