Phil Prendergast (Labour)

The Labour Party agreed with them then, we agree with them now, and so do many Government backbenchers in the Dáil. In fact, they saw their political life flash before their eyes when they saw those protests. They realised the electorally disastrous effects of one of the most callous Government cutbacks in 30 years, and so did the Cabinet. In response, the Government came up with a revised version which still does not recognise the universal entitlement to free medical care for the over 70s. That is why the Labour Party will continue to oppose this Bill at every level. It is an attempt by the Government to pretend it is listening to the elderly, but in truth it is documentary evidence of a Government without values. As my party's spokesperson for the elderly, I have seen cases every day where they are hurting deeply as a result of the actions of this Government. It is scurrilous to say that anyone was here for the crack on that day when people, as best they could, protested and let their feelings be known about the actions of the Government.