John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Medical cards were mentioned earlier, and I will finish on this point. Some 50,000 medical cards are to be withdrawn. It is an awful reflection on the policymakers and the HSE that people who are terminally ill and appealing to the HSE for a medical card do not get one. They are often put into a process where further information is constantly being sought although the information has already been made available. It is hugely difficult for public representatives and the clients making the application to engage with the bureaucracy of this State. It is an appalling situation that so many are waiting for those cards and are waiting on trolleys and that nothing will be done.

Finally, the 15 day timeframe for the return of an answer to a parliamentary question by the HSE is not being adhered to. It is being ignored. No respect is being shown to Members of Parliament as we try to deal with issues for the people in our constituencies and throughout the country.

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