James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

If, in the context of the substantive question posed by Deputy Caoimghín Ó Caoláin, one averages out the cost of a medical card at €1,000 and if one is purely going to remove medical cards on that basis, it might not be unreasonable to assume that 113,000, 115,000 or 133,000 medical cards might be taken back. Of course, there will be many other factors involved when the implementation process takes place. As I have stated elsewhere, I know what probity means and I am aware that it does not involve changes to policy or eligibility.

Probity means ensuring that those who are entitled to medical cards have them and that those who are not entitled or are no longer entitled to them do not have them. It also means ensuring that the fees claimed by doctors, pharmacists and dentists are appropriate, right and proper.

I expressed concern at the outset about the possibility of achieving that level of saving with just a probity measure, and I made it very clear that there would not be a policy change. I can stand here and, with absolute certainty, reassure people who have medical cards, which is nearly 2 million people, that they have nothing to worry about.

See this speech in context