Brendan Ryan (Labour)

I wish to move an amendment to the Order of Business. Before dealing with No. 1, the House should discuss the decision of the Government to renege on its commitment to extend the medical card scheme to an additional 200,000 people. This is a specific issue announced by the Taoiseach yesterday and is a complete reversal of a commitment in the Government manifesto. It will affect low income families in particular, the "coping classes" the Progressive Democrats like to talk about. It will affect people who are on the margins of being entitled to a medical card. All over the country this morning parents will be deciding whether they will buy a coat or a pair of shoes or take their children to a doctor. If Senator Lydon thinks that is funny it is a reflection of the values that Fianna Fáil have descended to.