Ivor Callely (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the opportunity to participate in this debate. The Health Bill 2008 is a short Bill that deals principally with one issue, the abolition of the universal entitlement to a medical card on age eligibility for persons aged 70 and over. This arose from the budget announcement on 14 October 2008 when the Minister for Finance outlined the grave and difficult financial and economic challenges the country faces.

When times were good, Fianna Fáil-led Administrations invested wisely in our infrastructure and dramatically increased a range of supports and services, including the State pension and other supports for older people. Therefore, I must disagree with my learned colleague, Senator Norris, who criticised this side of the House. Fianna Fáil is justly proud of its history of social advance. In times of economic gain when we were in a position to deliver, we steadily improved and extended services for our older people. Good pensions, free travel, home supports, special grants for home improvements, fuel allowances, travel passes, companion travel passes, telephone allowances, free television licence, Christmas bonuses, health and social supports and many other secondary benefits have been provided.

Fianna Fáil has also established the Office for Older People and I welcome the Minister of State with responsibility for older people to the House. It is an integral part of Fianna Fáil philosophy that the older person should have all the necessary supports and be protected from the harsh winds of recessionary periods to the greatest possible extent.

I am on record as stating Ireland is a small country which has achieved success beyond measure and beyond the expected capacity of a nation our size. Through the efforts of previous generations, the Irish economy has developed to a healthy level. Our success has been built on the shoulders of giants, and their efforts to develop our country and economy have borne fruit. I want to see the older generation reap the benefits of their sacrifices. Compared with any other political party, the record of Fianna Fáil is one of caring, compassion and delivery. I can justifiably state that as soon as economic circumstances allow, Fianna Fáil will pursue its philosophy and its track record of social advancement, especially for the older generation.

We live in extraordinarily difficult and challenging economic circumstances. The choices are clear and stark. If we do not make the correct choice, there will be serious consequences. The public wants the Government to take the painful decisions, but, unfortunately, at times like this everyone feels the pain. However, facing the facts of our current situation, as we must, does not mean having a defeatist attitude. I could never accept that type of defeatism and Fianna Fáil members will not accept it either.

I have witnessed political figures play games on the issue of universal entitlement to a medical card. That amounts to little more than a public relations exercise. The record shows that some of these political figures voted in favour of certain measures and when made aware of the response and actions of others, then showed their inept and humiliating lack of leadership rather than trying to find a solution to the crisis.

On account of our traditional confidence in the future of our country and our capacity to overcome difficulties, Fianna Fáil must restore confidence and work with older people, their organisations and representative bodies to demonstrate its determination to pursue its philosophy of social advancement, in line with its proven track record. When Fianna Fáil is in a position to deliver, it delivers.

Fianna Fáil is also big enough to admit when a mistake has been made. To call a spade a spade, there has been an unnatural unfolding of events since 14 October 2008 with regard to the medical card issue, which is a bit of a mess. Apart altogether from the fitting step to address the gold card payment to doctors to accommodate people aged over 70 on their General Medical Services list, the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, was aware for some time that the gold card and matters relating to it warranted revisiting to bring it into line with other provisions so we could have a sustainable mechanism in place.

We had a situation where the original financial estimates and calculations for the over 70s scheme were, to a great extent, misleading and incorrect. This was an unhealthy position and the original payments to doctors and reimbursement for expenses could not be sustained. I understand the Minister identified savings to the value of €100 million in this area. Thus, the proposal to abolish the universal entitlement to a medical card on age eligibility was pursued.

Given the current budgetary position, financial prudence dictated the necessity for the Health Bill 2008 which is before us today. I have already put to the Minister for Health and Children my objection to her proposal and have questioned where social justice and legitimate expectation fit in. Could the required savings and necessary renegotiation of doctors' payments not have been worked out so that we could have avoided the great cloud of worry and anxiety this flawed proposal brought about?