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

This is a matter that affects every Member of this House when representing their constituents. At a critical time in a person's life following a diagnosis of cancer, the least that we and the Government can do is ensure that he or she gets a medical card. At one time, once a diagnosis of cancer had been made, the person automatically got the card. That has not been the case over the past five or six years. The Taoiseach is frowning as if he does not know that. If he does not know that, as a Deputy, he should know it. A county councillor would know it - never mind the Taoiseach. It was a fact that when a person received a diagnosis of cancer, he or she got a medical card but it has not been the case over the past five or six years. It is a terribly important issue that should be looked at.

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