Deirdre Clune (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The last speaker said there was no difference between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. There is a major difference. The Government has a plan for how it will proceed in the health service and the legislation we are discussing today and the changes introduced in budget 2014 are part of the Government's movement towards the goal of introducing a universal GP service for all before the spring of 2016. That is a major difference. There is a plan, towards which we are working as a goal. Nonetheless, nobody wishes to see reductions, particularly in eligibility for medical cards for people over 70 years of age. However, one point must be made repeatedly. I listened to a vox pop conducted during a demonstration outside Leinster House in opposition to the proposals introduced in budget 2014. One man said he was there to object because his medical card was being taken from him and VHI was being taxed. After this measure is implemented, only 7% of people over 70 years of age will not have a medical card or a GP card.