Eugene Murphy (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of my colleagues, I commend the Minister on the way he has handled this and made something really happen. This was not just an announcement. People said to me when it was initially announced that it would not happen. It has happened. I have met people in my clinics who say they cannot afford to go into hospital for three or four days, they do not have a medical card and so on and they do not have the €800. A lot of people do not want to ask a family member. This is really important. As it kicks in and people realise they do not have to pay this, they will be very happy. It is a good day. The Minister grasped this. We have challenges in the health system and he is doing his best. He has had a lot of roadblocks put in his way because of the way things worked out. He is making things happen. He is a reforming Minister. He is doing real things on the ground. This is a really good day and I am very proud of him. I am glad to be here with my colleagues to commend him for the work he has done. All the people in the advocacy groups and others have supported him as well.