Ivor Callely (Fianna Fail)

The answer is "Yes". Lessons have been learned.

It is wrong that in the current difficult economic climate most of the discussion and Department time and attention following the 2009 budget has focused on a relatively small expenditure item put at a saving, at the time, of €100 million, particularly when placed in the context of a budget of €58 billion.

Moreover, Members now understand that the €100 million in potential savings has been greatly eroded. My good friend, the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Hoctor, will be aware of discussions in the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party meeting when the announcement was made, at which its members were given a set of income guidelines that were within the control of the Health Service Executive rather than the Department. I am delighted that when this was brought to the Minister's attention, she took the necessary step to bring back to her Department the authority to put in place the required income guidelines, which she then greatly extended.

The Government also has extended the medical card to the spouse or partner of the person who held a medical card and who was over 70. Consequently, such a partner, who could be 50 or 60 years of age or less, will hold a medical card once one member of the couple does so. That is a great move. Equally, many of the other moves that have been made——