Taoiseach regrets means-testing medical cards

TAOISEACH Brian Cowen said he “regretted” that the Government had to introduce means-testing for the over-70s medical card.

But he insisted it was a “necessary” decision, and said he was not embarrassed by any measures contained in the budget.

He admitted, however, that the measures would leave people financially worse off. “I acknowledge that people will be in a worse position next year than they are this year. That is true.”