Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I did emphasise the word "may" and the reason I did so is that I have yet to see the word come into operation myself. The HSE also uses the word "discretion". I have yet to see the word in operation. When it comes to medical cards, they are two words that are held in the dictionary but not in operational circumstances. There should be a review for the self-employed within the medical card section. This will enable us to see how we can put into effect the idea of discretion within the medical card section for people who find themselves in life-altering conditions or where their circumstances change. For example, they might have an income but they have family going to college. In the crisis we are going through at the moment we need to be open to all suggestions that are brought forward.