Reilly insists central government ordered medical card cuts

Health Minister Dr James Reilly has pushed blame for the €113m medical card cutbacks review away from his office, insisting that he was told to impose the move by central government.

Defending his role in the affair, the minister said he is working within limits imposed on him.

He told The Pat Kenny Show on Newstalk no one who has a legal right to medical card support should fear the imminent “probity” review, insisting it is focussed on removing cards from people who no longer need them and those who should never have received the help.