Donegal Fianna Fáil TD's challenged over planned prescription charges

Tír Chonaill éirígí spokesperson Micheál Cholm MacGiolla Easbuig has described proposals by Health Minister Mary Harney to introduce prescription charges for medical card holders as another savage attack on low income workers, social welfare recipients and those most in need of medical care within our society. He has also challenged Donegal's fianna Fáil TD's to publicly declare whether or not they will support and vote for these charges.

MacGiolla Easbuig said: "These latest proposals by Minister Harney to introduce prescription charges for medical card holders are outrageous and must be resisted. If introduced, these charges will see increased hardship for the poorest and sickest in society as many people will end up not getting their necessary medication when required."

He added: "Once again this administration is targeting the less well off, social welfare recipients and low income workers, to bail out the banks and pay for the greed and incompetence of the political and business class that created the current economic recession. The focus of all their planned cuts is being directed at those who are already struggling to survive and can least afford to pay while the richest in our society escape with their vast wealth unscathed."

"Over a third of the wealth of this country lies in the hands of just 1% of the population. The wealth of these individuals is what needs to be targeted in the upcoming budget. These individuals who control that wealth can afford to pay, unlike the unemployed, the elderly, the sick and the low income workers, whom Fianna Fáil and the Green party are specifically targeting and imposing hardship after hardship upon."

He concluded: "I am now challenging Fianna Fáil's Donegal Deputies to publicly declare whether they intend to support and vote for these latest proposals. As these TD's continue to live their lavish and extravagant lifestyles, drawing enormous expenses and salaries, they need to explain to the people of Donegal how they can justify their party and government deliberately targeting once more the very weakest sections of our society, the less well off and the sick. These people did not create the economic crisis and must not be made pay for it."