Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House. I understand my amendment has been ruled out of order because it could impose a charge on the Exchequer. Nevertheless, I would like a say a few words about it. I got quite a reaction to this issue. A couple, as defined in the Bill - I presume this means a married couple or a couple in a civil partnership - are discriminated against unfavourably compared with two single people living together in the same household. For example, if a brother and sister are living within the same household their income ceiling to qualify for a medical card is €500 each - that is, a total income of €1,000 - while if one has the misfortune to be married or in a civil partnership the income ceiling is €900.

What is that but discrimination against a couple? I read the research behind this. It is meant to relate to the cost of living. It is contended that it is cheaper for a couple to survive but that is

disputed in the case of a brother and sister, two sisters or any two others who live together in the same household. The Minister of State's argument falls there.