Mary Ann O'Brien (Independent)

I want to have this issue discussed as a matter of urgency and I implore all Government Ministers, Deputies and Senators to look into their hearts before uttering the words, "this is not possible due to budget constraints". If we could secure this reform, it would create great goodwill at no extra cost to the Exchequer.

It is hard for us sitting here today to imagine what it is like to sit at home with a sick child, who is perhaps having an epileptic fit every hour while the parent is trying to tube feed him. The parent must fill out these wretched forms and be means tested. It is beyond the dignity of these people that they must keep reapplying for a medical card and maybe not even getting one. This is a no-brainer.