Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Minister of State is incorrect because people have come to my office and they are applying for the medical card and cannot get it even though they have cancer. The Minister of State should not come along telling me that is not the case. Unfortunately, you have to be terminally ill to fill the form the Minister of State is talking about. If not, please give me the form. She must have a magical form that we do not seem to have in west Cork.

The Government follows people and it punishes people. I have people coming in to me who want to avail of the fair deal scheme. Their families were prudent and they are honest people. They are followed to the grave to rob them of the few bob they saved all their lives so they could pay for their burial and maybe give a little comfort to their family but because they were prudent, they are being chased. Phil Hogan said once that he would chase people to the graves and that is what the Government is doing today.

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