Labour Senator Marie Moloney highlighted the case of a woman suffering from multiple illnesses who had her medical card withdrawn.

She told the Seanad the woman had reapplied for the card and was refused, and also had an appeal rejected.

“She suffers from arthritis, osteoporosis, hyperthyroidism, hiatus hernia, polymyalgia rheumatic and two other conditions that I cannot even pronounce.

“She has had one knee replacement and is awaiting another, but the operation cannot be carried out as a result of poor healing because of her polymyalgia and other ongoing conditions.’’

Ms Moloney said the woman was a priority for surgery, with an inflammatory disease, and had no option but to attend a GP more than 20 times a year. She had to attend the hospital for outpatient assessments on a regular basis and again undergo surgery requiring a lengthy stay in hospital. The woman’s husband was also on medication.

Minister of State Damien English said it would be inappropriate to discuss the family circumstances and their financial details in public in the Seanad. The applicant’s income was found to be in excess of the qualifying means threshold and there was no evidence she faced undue hardship in arranging medical services.

Mr English said the woman referred to did not have a discretionary medical card.

Ms Moloney insisted she did, adding that the woman’s husband did not have a medical card, which would imply the card was discretionary. Ms Moloney also pointed out the woman’s financial circumstances were the same before and after having the card.