I raise the issue of medical cards for those who are terminally ill. We are all aware of a recent case of a man who was diagnosed with stage four prostate cancer having his medical card removed and reinstated, not once but twice. Let us pause for a second and imagine what it must be like to be told by a consultant or doctor that one has cancer and is terminally ill. That must be absolutely devastating news for the individual concerned to get and it must also be heartbreaking and devastating for the person's family. As we are all aware, the process of trying to obtain a medical card can be trying and stressful at the best of times, but this practice of reviewing medical cards for terminally ill patients is cruel and heartless and should cease.

Hear, hear.

As far back as 2014, a promise was made that this practice would cease. That was six years ago and it continues.

I have written to the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, to ask him to cease this practice immediately. I ask that the Deputy Leader on behalf of the Members of the House also writes to the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, to request that this cruel heartless act of reviewing medical cards for people diagnosed with cancer and who are terminally ill cease immediately.