Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate the Tánaiste's response but the case I gave her today is just an example. Every politician in this House knows of cancer patients and I recently had a child with a prosthesis who was refused a medical card. These decisions are being taken by deciding officers and, while I am not a medical person, I have enough cop on to know that a discretionary medical card is meant for a person in this man's situation, for others like him and for people with cancer. They might not always want a card but at a time when they are ill and their illness is causing them financial hardship, they should be entitled to a card. That is why we call them "discretionary" medical cards. I am simply asking for more discretion to be given. It is completely beyond me how any medical officer can stand over some of the decisions taken in this regard. It is outrageous to allow people to go blind for the sake of €2,700, the cost of a cataract operation. I personally know of people who have gone blind. I can give their names, addresses and PPS numbers and it is outrageous that this should happen in a civilised and modern society.

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