Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Of course, the only real tears, as opposed to tiers, are those of the families who have been left in distress. The notion that there is no such thing as a discretionary medical card is belied by the Minister of State's own figures, given in parliamentary replies, which show that in March 2011, 97,120 people were in possession of full medical cards or GP visit cards on a discretionary basis. By March of this year, however, that number had fallen to 78,310, a drop of nearly 19,000 or almost one in five. In percentage terms, that is closer to 20% than 6%. These are the figures the Minister of State has given us and they show that the situation is much more serious than he suggested last night and again this morning.

Surely we can be of one voice on this issue? We are asking that the HSE treat with due respect and compassion all applicants for medical cards or renewal of medical cards, taking fully into account not only incomes but the other clear burdens imposed by medical conditions, illnesses and disabilities. That real cost must be factored in.

See this speech in context