A serious question was asked on health. The Government has brought to a very high level the resources invested in health in the capital programme and in staffing and services. Clearly, there are still difficulties and problems. They have been well put forward by the Minister for Health and Children. It is the Government's intention to continue, as per our programme in Government, to try to complete units under construction, to open those units and to try to plan further improvements, particularly in primary care, acute care, cancer services, services for those with disabilities and mental health care. These are areas in which we have clear policies and where we are fully or partially implementing our programmes. Those are the policy areas in respect of which we are anxious to complete our programmes.

The Taoiseach has not advised us whether he will lead Fianna Fáil into the general election. I suppose one would have to presume that he will because an exit strategy was not on offer to him from Europe. Assuredly if it were, he would be through it as an escape hole as quick as any Drumcondra hare ever could.

The Taoiseach has responded to a question the Deputy asked.

A year ago, the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste co-signed a progress report that stated step by step, promise by promise, year by year that the Government is delivering its promises and keeping faith with the people. Does the Taoiseach accept that the people have punished him quite severely throughout the jurisdiction because he failed to keep any of his pre-election promises? Is that not the reality and the analysis he must reach in his post-mortem on the results of the local and European elections last Friday?

In relation to health, we ask the Taoiseach to read the published report of the public health alliance of Ireland which clearly indicates and exposes once again——

The Deputy's time is concluded.

——the glaring inequality in health care where 40% of people surveyed identified financial concerns as the real reason they cannot look forward to improved health. That is the reality and we have highlighted it here to the Taoiseach many times. I ask him again what will he do about it. Will he provide medical card cover most especially for all young people under 18 years of age? It is children who are suffering and parents who are facing the anguish of that choice every day.

Here, here.

It is the Government's intention to continue to provide the needy and the less well off in our society with the best possible services in hospitals, in their communities and in the health services to meet their medical needs. It is a policy we have been pursuing all the time. We have done that successfully in most categories. We have given medical cards to the aged, regardless of their income or circumstances. A large proportion of the population of this State has a medical card. There are some questions around the guidelines on which we continue to try to improve, as we have done. We continue to put resources into the facilities and the services that people need.

Regarding the Deputy's other political points, I agree we received some punishment from the electorate last week. However, thankfully, it was in the ballot box and not otherwise. It is always good in a democracy to stick to that means of doing so.

In regard to the job in Europe, I think that if I were really interested in that job I would have that job.

There is confidence for you.

We all believe you.

However, when it comes to getting €1 million for working in Europe or staying at home to do the job I like doing, I will continue to do this job.

We really appreciate that.

When Schröder saw the gear in Havana, that is what did it. The Taoiseach had it up to then. He had it in the bag.

He liked it. I had to add some colour.

It was the yellow trousers that did it.

That concludes Leaders' Questions.