Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It comes so easy to have the resolution to every problem. We are all human beings and we all have the interests of our constituents at heart. Unfortunately, it is not always as easy as it looks from that vantage point. At last and at least, in this particular situation, we now see some recognition of the things we would like to do when in opposition, and we have an opportunity to have some little influence of a positive nature on the well-being and livelihood of families who are dependent on what we do.

Deputy Michael Harty and others made reference to the administration of the medical card system. I accept it leaves a lot of room for improvement, although I am not criticising anybody, one way or the other, except to simply say this. If a person is suffering from a serious illness, he or she has enough problems in his or her life without having to get proof in written or graphic form to say, "Your end is nigh", or words to that effect. That should not be the case. It should be a simple thing to be able to say, within reason, that this person deserves a medical card because of his or her situation and illness. I know the HSE will say to us there is no automatic right to a medical card because of the seriousness of the illness. However, there is always discretion and one can always use common sense to come to a conclusion that it is in the interests of those in receipt of medication or of surgery, instead of having to wait what could be a huge length of time to them. We should always remember, when wearing the other person's shoes, that to those who are in pain or in doubt about their health, and those with a serious health problem, even a short time is much more magnified and serious, and has a much more debilitating effect on them.

I hope that, in the context of the reforms that are taking place, which are of a positive nature, we can do something about this issue. This is particularly the case in regard to the spot checks where the person's card is due for renewal and they get a form to tell them, "It has come to our attention your circumstances have changed", when no such change has taken place. Every Member of this House knows this, and we have all dealt with such cases. When it is pursued further, we find it is a spot check. If there is a spot check for that purpose, the simple thing would be to do the spot check first without taking away the medical card and leaving the person waiting. The obvious thing is to leave the person in possession of their card. All we do is create unnecessary hardship for people in those circumstances.

This is a positive move which I welcome. The House will not be surprised when I reveal I intend to vote for the Bill. I congratulate the Minister of State for the work done. We hope this is the first of many items of recognition for the people who are deserving in our society, given we did not have a whole lot to give them in the past few years.

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