Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

-----made commitments that, in fairness, were adapted into a programme for Government that reflected the situation. Under the programme, however, prescription charges were to be abolished. Instead, they have been increased substantially. This currency means that we cannot accept the assurances.

We have been discussing the medical card situation for 18 months. We have been advising and trying to work with the HSE on the problems created by the review. It took a local election collapse for that situation to be reviewed.

See this speech in context