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Senior citizens "rock" political system 22.10.08

A BUNCRANA councillor yesterday called for a universal public health system saying the medical card fiasco showed the Government was "out of touch" with the people.
Sinn Féin Councillor, Pádraig MacLochlainn described yesterday's major concessions on the medical card entitlements for the over 70s as a "significant climbdown". He said it was clear that massive public pressure led to the climbdown.
"This decision comes from a Government reeling after the wave of anger which hit them in the wake of the Budget.
"After creating all this anxiety it is now unclear whether the Government will make any savings from the scheme at all. The original decision should simply be reversed and universal provision for over 70s restored," said Cllr MacLochlainn.
He commended the senior citizens for "making their voices heard so loudly and so clearly" in the last week.
"They have rocked the political system and it is clear that massive public pressure led to this climbdown," he added.
Cllr MacLochlainn urged the public to continue to apply pressure on the Government to reverse other measures such as the decision to increase class sizes.
"The fact is that there are many other revenue raising options open to the
Sinn Féin Councillor, Pádraig MacLochlainn
Government but the policies that they pursue led them to target the most vulnerable in our society.
"Sinn Féin, in our pre-budget submission, made a number of revenue raising proposals, which, if implemented, would have raised enough money to ensure that the most vulnerable in society were protected."
Meanwhile, Fianna Fáil Senator Cecilia Keaveney welcomed the Taoiseach's decision to roll back on the scheme and introduce vastly higher income ceilings for pensioners to qualify.
“I’m delighted that such major changes have been made to the medical card scheme for the over 70s and I thank all those who contacted me on this matter," she said.
To read some local people's reaction to Budget 2009 click here .
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