FF TD quits party over medical card issue

[FutureTaoiseach]

We can't afford to keep giving rich people freebies from the taxpayer. Some form of means-testing is necessary. The question should be at what point - in terms of wealth - one should stop getting it.

[He3]

I thought his choice of the word "successor" indicates that he is prepared to step down if this was overturned.

He did not want the job, so it is an exit strategy for him.

[seamasdefaoite]

Term of the 30th Dáil might be cut short

[White Horse]

We can't afford to keep giving rich people freebies from the taxpayer. Some form of means-testing is necessary. The question should be at what point - in terms of wealth - one should stop getting it.

You have a point. However, the politics of this issue now mean that reasoned reform of these medical cards is impossible.

[Ulster-Lad]

Term of the 30th Dáil might be cut short

We can only hope.

[BodyofEvidence]

Dan Boyle is explaining to George Hook now that the detail of income limits was not agreed at cabinet.

o thats his weasle out is it.... god, hes turned into a slimeball since he went close to power..

[lostexpectation]

i find it extraordinary that the ministers don't consult the government party tds on the budget, you may say that's the way things are done but it shouldn't be and doens't work out as seen here.

[BodyofEvidence]

You have to love this country. The financial system is on the verge of collapse, thousands of families with young children may be facing foreclosure next year, those who aren't maybe be paying mortgages that are greater then the value of their homes with the threat of losing their jobs hanging over their heads. Unemployment is about to skyrocket and government revenue is plummeting faster than a forgetful skydiver.

And what has the government on the verge of collapse? - people over seventy with decent pensions, most of whom own valuable homes outright, are going to lose 'the right' to a medical card - the medical cards they did not have up to a couple of years ago and that they never asked for.

If you don't have a government job then it could be time to start looking at the foreign job listings (I know I am).

events dear boy, events. Remember Mr Bruton's Shoes...times were far worser then as far as I recal

[slx]

Well, Cork's Redfm's reporting that the government is on the brink of collapse apparently Noel O'Flynn TD is also considering leaving!

[MookieBaylock]

Matt Cooper reporting that 2 Green TD's may be about to resign from the Green Party in protest at Gormley's and Ryan's support for the government.

Gogarty and who else?

No truth in Mary White - I can assure you of that. I would have thought Ciaran Cuffe the most likely myself