Alex White (Dublin South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The Senator has not explained how he is of the view that the section goes against the principle of universal health care. He merely asserts it, as his colleagues have, without explaining it. If he reads the section he will see that it does not go against the principle of universal health care. As he has acknowledged - although he seems to fail to recognise the implication of his words - he correctly informed the House that persons who lose access to the full medical card will nevertheless have access to a GP-visit card. All such persons will have access to a GP-visit card. Therefore there is no consequence along the lines the Senator asserts.

The Senator then continues to make the argument - I am not sure I fully understand it - that it will mean that persons, who lose the full medical card under this legislation, will avoid accessing, for example, their GP. There is no basis to that argument which is completely fallacious because they will have the GP-visit card. In order to respond properly to the Senator I would need some clarity from him as to why he is making the assertions he is making. The GP-visit card will be there for all persons affected under this legislation by the changes to the eligibility limits the Senator has read out.

I addressed the issue of progress generally in respect of free GP care yesterday on Second Stage.