Frances Fitzgerald (Fine Gael)

It is not just the elderly that will be affected, but their families and young people also. The attack on universality is being done without any debate or discussion. It was not part of the election manifesto. Universal health cover for the over 70s was introduced in 2002 to buy an election but it was not part of the election manifesto last year. It was introduced without any discussion or mandate and because of a lazy approach to the budget. The Government could have targeted many other areas. We all know about the areas where there has been extensive waste.

The Government is playing around with the figures at the moment. It was going to save €100 million when the medical card was to be withdrawn from 120,000 people and now it is going to save €100 million when it will be withdrawn from only 20,000 people. It is not 5% of 120,000 people that are involved, it is 14% of them, and eligibility will be based on gross income rather than net income. When the fine details of the scheme emerge people will not be happy.

Who knows what will be the outcome of the negotiations the Government will enter into with the Irish Medical Organisation or anyone else? It is all uncertain. The principle of universal health care for the elderly as a value, which the elderly now expect, has been taken away. What the Government has announced this morning has gone no way near restoring the peace of mind the elderly want.