Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The figures are undeniable. In March 2011, before the so-called revolution, 97,120 people held full medical cards or GP visit cards on a discretionary basis. In March 2014 the figure was 78,310. This is a drop of almost 20%. It is not down to any great improvement in the lives or income of people. We know this much. It is down to the heartless cuts imposed by a Government which is out of touch with reality. This is what is at the core of it. We only have to listen to other evidence provided by Down Syndrome Ireland, which stated half the people with Down's syndrome have either had their medical cards cut or are in danger of losing them due to Fine Gael and Labour Party policy.

The Government is out of touch. The fact the Minister is even asking for a list of hard cases shows he is completely out of touch. What really hurts people is how they are treated unfairly. Did the Minister see the documentary, "Jackie's Story: My Life My Legacy" which was screened on TV3 last night? If he did not see it he should do so. He should examine how the health system failed this woman. She has a terminal disease and is preparing for her own funeral. She is concerned about her children. The Minister should listen to her words as she explains how she could not afford her prescription and had to leave the medication on the counter. Later that evening the fair pharmacist paid the prescription charges. This is not an isolated story. Pharmacists in Donegal have told me similar stories, perhaps not with regard to patients who are terminally ill with cancer. Anybody watching the programme would have to have a heart of stone not to be reduced to tears. This was broadcast in the same week the Minister for Finance stood on the tarmac as he watched Donald Trump roll into Shannon Airport. There needs to be some fairness in society. We need some equality. The Government needs to stand up for those silent sufferers. I ask the Minister to do the right thing and reverse the cuts.

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