Máire Hoctor (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)

I am sure Senator Twomey is aware, as am I, of many cases where once it was made known to the HSE that a patient was terminally ill, it immediately fast-tracked the issuing of a medical card for that person. I must be fair to the HSE in that respect.

The Minister, Deputy Harney said that 70,000 people currently avail of discretionary medical cards. She also said that terminally ill patients will not be affected by any cap on the issue of discretionary medical cards. She further said that her Department will ensure this is the case in terms of the HSE.