Brendan Ryan (Labour)

Senator Feighan wanted to know how the low level of eligibility for medical cards affects accident and emergency services. It is very simple. When people who become ill cannot afford to go to their GP for treatment, they go to an A&E service. If they could receive treatment from their GP, it would prevent them from having to go to hospital. It is the simplest thing in the world. That Fianna Fáil's leading speaker in this debate does not know that is as good an illustration—