Eugene Regan (Fine Gael)

A Chathaoirligh, I believe I am allowed to formulate my question in the manner I consider appropriate. The question is whether the revolt of the elderly has ended and whether the Government's policy of divide and conquer has succeeded. We will find out today whether the solidarity of the elderly will hold. The Government has solved a problem within its ranks but not necessarily the problem that has been created by the injustice done. Only 5% of those over 70 will be affected. That is just a statistic but it represents 20,000 people who may be asked by the Health Service Executive, following its spot checks and harassment, to return their medical cards. When that happens, will those Members be so smug?

The question that arises from this event is how the Taoiseach could get it so wrong. According to an article in The Irish Times which correctly analyses the situation, there have been five sets of eligibility criteria for medical cards for those over 70 in just one week. The Taoiseach has apologised. He also said that the Government foresaw this, however, so the upset and harassment caused to the elderly was premeditated.

The country is in a deep economic recession. We have a problem in our relations with the rest of Europe and there is the issue of what type of society we are creating. Will it be a fair and just society or will we pick off the weakest in the management of the economy as it pulls out of recession? There must be a serious question about the qualifications and capability of the Taoiseach, the Minister for Finance and the Tánaiste to manage the economy, resolve the issues in our relations with Europe and create a just society. Does the Leader agree with the demand that 20,000 people hand back their medical cards?