Gerry Adams has said the government’s policy on medical cards is continuing to cause deep distress to families and vulnerable citizens.

The Sinn Féin leader says the coalition needs to state clearly that those who need medical cards will get them and government politicians need to make a clear statement on the matter.

“To have a child who has to be deprived of a medical card to pay a banker is just not fair, and it’s not right. Every single government TD and senator should make it clear now that they want the government to do the right thing,” Adams said.

The HSE has appointed an expert panel to recommend the range of medical conditions that should be considered when determining eligibility.

But Deputy Adams is calling for those who have had cards removed, to have them restored immediately.
“The time for voting for this in the lobbies and then protesting about it in the constituency - those days are over,” Adams said.