Over the last few months we’ve been focusing on the withdrawal of medical cards from people who previously held them, some of whom were children.

On today's programme Jonathan discussed the issue with Fergus Finlay the Chief Executive of children's charity Barnardos. He described the withdrawal of medical cards from sick children as "crass" and "indefensible".

He told Newstalk Lunchtime that “the entire government is in an entirely indefensible position here – because this is a fixable thing” that requires "political will" to resolve.

Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney told the programme that he was concerned and that "there are mistakes being made - James Reilly knows that and he is addressing it. The Taoiseach knows it and is insisting on it being addressed as well”.

In the Dail today Taoiseach Enda Kenny responded to criticisms from Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin on medical cards being withdrawn.

The Health Minister, James Reilly, has told his Fine Gael colleagues that a new form of medical card could be introduced.

While the minister for primary care Alex White told the Dáil that the HSE is looking into plans where anybody losing a medical card can still access the care they need.

You can listen back to Jonathan's interview with Fergus Finlay and Minister Simon Coveney here: