Backbenchers told agree... or deal with Cowen

FIANNA Fail backbenchers were told they would have to agree with controversial plans to change the medical card system, or the Taoiseach would be brought back from Brussels to deal with them.

A number of TDs were fuming last night over what they said were attempts to silence them from speaking out against plans in Budget 2009 to means test people over 70 for medical cards.

One Fianna Fáil member said the party “looked in disarray” at a parliamentary party meeting yesterday to discuss the medical card controversy.