Ministers were alert to independent concerns

GOVERNMENT ministers were in regular discussions with their two supporting independent TDs before their partial climbdown on the medical card policy.

Michael Lowry and Jackie Healy-Rae said their concerns about means-testing have been met because older people will have to voluntarily disclose if they are above the income threshold for the medical card.

Mr Lowry has asked the Taoiseach for assurances that there will not be any further changes to the income threshold after the scheme is introduced on January 1.