The Taoiseach may be able to help me because I have difficulty in squaring the circle. I note the fictional document called the programme for Government states that primary care will be free and available to everyone by the end of the life of the present Government. However, in the factual document that is the HSE's service plan, the Government proposes to withdraw 40,000 medical cards.

Hold on a second, Deputy. This is promised legislation.

Yes, but-----

The Government has made a promise.

Table a parliamentary question on the withdrawal of medical-----

Legislation will be needed regarding medical card eligibility because there also is a commitment that long-term illness patients would receive medical cards. I have a difficulty in that if one adds it up, more people will lose medical cards this year-----

We will not go into the debate. I ask the Deputy to note that many Members are waiting to speak and we only have a limited number of minutes.

This issue was raised yesterday.

Does the Deputy want to know whether there is promised legislation?

We now have a situation in which cancer patients cannot get medical cards-----

The Deputy is being selective. There will be 100,000 additional medical cards.

Thank you.

Medical cards are being withdrawn. I refer to cancer patients.

We are not having a debate on that issue now. Is there promised legislation in this area?

I have raised this issue previously. The Taoiseach stated he would take it on personally. It is the system that is failing.

Deputy, would you please respect the Chair?

I tried to raise this a number of times.

I know, but this is not the time for questions on health.

I met two people on Monday morning, both of whom were cancer patients.

This is about promised legislation.

One had had a double mastectomy-----

I must ask the Deputy to resume his seat.

-----and cannot get a medical card.

Deputy, are you looking to be thrown out?

At present, there are 1.8 million medical cards issued, which is more than ever before.

That is because of unemployment.

Whose fault is that?

The Government should not make false commitments.

We are dealing with promised legislation. Is there promised legislation?

As for people who lose their medical cards, the vast majority of those who do so will have a doctor-only card. The Minister of State, Deputy White, is working on this area and it is the intention of the Government, obviously over its lifetime, to introduce universal health insurance.

People are dying but cannot get medical cards. They are actually dying

Would you please allow a reply to a question, which is out of order anyway-----

My apologies.

-----and to which I would prefer there was no reply?

The Minister of State, Deputy White, is proceeding with the legislation in respect of primary care.