Michael Mullins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I join with colleagues in deploring the awful situation in Nigeria. It is true to say that Boko Haram is one of the worst terrorist organisations to emerge in recent times and that this is a major issue that needs an international response. We can only imagine the distress being experienced by the parents of all of the missing children in Nigeria. It is incumbent on all democratically elected governments throughout the world to intervene and help in this situation. I support the call for the Tánaiste to get involved and to involve the European Union at the highest possible level in order to bring the girls safely back to their families and distraught parents.

I support the call for the Minister for Health to come here, in due course, to discuss the emerging problems with medical cards. We all know that medical cards are granted in line with existing legislation and are based on income but there is an element of discretion.

Obviously, this is where the difficulty arises. When the election is over and in the cool calm of normal politics-----