Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

-----because they cannot afford to pay for them from the pharmacy. I have seen pharmacists giving prescription medication on tick or letting people pay back so much per week. These are not living on Aylesbury Road. These are not people living in big flash mansions or those who have vast amounts of money. These are people who have worked hard and who are on pensions, such as retired teachers, who are struggling. Is the Minister seriously saying here that we are making people make choices regarding their medication? I agree with what Senator McFadden stated earlier, that we are frightening people and the Department is doing a bad job of explaining and communicating. I fully agree with the Minister regarding waste. I am with her 100% on that, but the way to avoid that is not to come in here with this prescription levy and penalise people.

I listened to the arguments being put forward by the other side. It is unfortunate the two Members opposite are here because I do not want to aim my fire at them.