Mary Moran (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I join my colleagues in welcoming the Cabinet's decision to reverse the decision on medical cards and to ensure people who had discretionary medical cards will have them reinstated.

It is great news and something I and my fellow colleagues have been seeking. We all have many stories like Senator Ó Clochartaigh's of families and people in dire need with serious medical conditions who unfortunately had their medical cards withdrawn. I welcome the move to reinstate them.

I spent the weekend at the Special Olympics Ireland Games in Limerick in the company of some of the most amazing and dedicated people I have ever met, ranging from the parents to the volunteers to the Special Olympics staff, the local and national community and, most importantly, the athletes who took part. I witnessed friendship, sportsmanship, compassion, competitiveness and hard work that cannot be captured or replicated anywhere else. It was a truly unique event. I was very impressed with the number of volunteers at the event over the weekend. Up to 3,000 volunteers from all professions and walks of life gave of their time. The athletes were provided with a free eye examination and health check. All the health care professionals provided an excellent free and voluntary service to the athletes and their families, which I know was very much appreciated by all those present. I would also like to commend the Army whose personnel volunteered and collected and transported the athletes' luggage to the train station. All of this was a pure reflection of the goodness and generosity of the people - people who were doing things that nobody even knew about - in this country. I commend the Special Olympics staff and volunteers on the excellent organisation of the national games. The work they do is second to none and it is appreciated by all 1,500 athletes and the others who were present.

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