Reilly in contrasting positions on prescription charge

HEALTH Minister James Reilly told the Dáil he plans to press ahead with legislation to cut the 50c prescription charge, while at the same time telling Fine Gael TDs he would quadruple it in the budget.

In a written response to a Dáil question replied to on Tuesday night, Dr Reilly said: “It is my intention, subject to Government approval, to introduce legislation to abolish prescription charges for medical card holders.”

The response was placed on the Dáil record within hours of his briefing to backbenchers.