Brendan Ryan (Labour)

It is interesting to note that some Members think that is good. The chorus from the Government side suggests Fianna Fáil approves of the reduction in the number of medical card holders. If Fianna Fáil Members believe that people on €142 a week can afford to pay €50 to a doctor, we know the reason they got hammered in the local elections, namely, they do not know how the ordinary people feel. The figure of 100,000 fewer people with medical cards does not include the 200,000 with which Fianna Fáil bought the election.

Since last week, US immigration authorities operating in this State photograph and fingerprint people. Will the Leader establish on what legal basis this is being done? What they do in their country is their business, but what they can do in this State is written in legislation. There is nothing in our legislation about the taking of fingerprints or photographs. Gardaí cannot ask citizens for their fingerprints unless they have a reasonable suspicion that a crime has been committed. On what legal basis are Irish citizens in the sovereign territory of this State being asked to supply fingerprints to the agents of another state? Have we simply rolled over and invited George Bush to tickle our tummies, while we pretend it is not happening?