Marc MacSharry (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the fact that tax returns are ahead of target, as mentioned in recent days. We all celebrate these facts. Similarly, it is important that Forbes magazine has named Ireland is a great place in which to do business.

I spoke earlier this week about the issue of co-funding, which is of critical importance to the north west. The rumours in this regard intensified after the Minister said at the annual general meeting of the ICMSA that the current economic environment makes it highly unlikely that 50:50 funding will be possible. The positive news we have heard about the income of €500 million, at a time of the year when approximately one sixth of the tax take has come in, makes it clear that there is scope to do these things. I hope the Leader will impress on the Minister the importance of providing additional resources, if necessary, to ensure this 50:50 co-funding takes place. If the moneys in question are provided, they will go directly into the real economy in every townland in the country. Every shop, wholesaler and feed sales outlet in Ireland will benefit from that. It will get right into the economy.

The second issue I would like to raise is the change in the medical card eligibility scheme, which will save just €25 million. I know we will have an opportunity to debate this matter later this afternoon.

One wonders if we cannot stretch to making available that €25 million to ensure medical cards for our elderly people, those people who, in the words of the Minister, Deputy Reilly, nursed us, raised us and built this country. Additional taxes are available and it would be possible to make that €25 million available to ensure the changes are not necessary. It is one thing to celebrate the good news of better tax results but what is in it for the people? There are two tangible measures, the first of which is for the co-funding of Pillar 2 of the Common Agricultural Policy to be 50:50 and not less, as the Minister said, and the second being medical card eligibility. I am sure any of us would be happy to allow those 25,000 to hold on to their medical cards in the relative autumn of their lives.