Is it the intention to extend eligibility for the medical card beyond the present 38 per cent? An extension would be in line with statements made by the Minister, who has said that the percentage would be increased to 66.

The guidelines are laid down from time to time and so far as I know they are adhered to by the CEOs. There has been an increase in recent months in the number of medical cards being issued.

That is not the information I asked for.

I am dealing with the question on the Order Paper.

Is it the intention to extend the medical card service beyond the present level of 38 per cent of the population?

That question does not arise. We must move on to the next question.

Is the Minister prepared to fulfil the promise made by him in this regard?

Obviously, Opposition Deputies are very unhappy that there is coming into operation a major improvement in our health services, an improvement which they were totally incapable of introducing.

(Cavan-Monaghan): We shall have to wait and see.

I have called the next question.

The Minister has not answered my question.

I have answered the question on the Order Paper.

I asked whether it is the intention to extend the medical card service to a greater proportion of the population. I am not endeavouring either to badger or to embarrass the Minister, but I would like an answer.

I have answered and I refuse to reply three or four times to a question.

There was no reference to medical cards in Question No. 18. We must move on to the next question.

May I take it then that the Minister is not replying to my question?

I have replied to it.

19.