The chicken shite spineless Government of Ireland has announced that with effect from 1 January 2009 new income thresholds will apply for medical cards for people aged 70 and over. (The existing arrangements will continue to apply until the end of this year.)

It means everyone aged 70 or over whose gross income is less than €700 a week (€36,500 a year) if single and €1,400 a week (€73,000 a year) for a couple can now be sure they will keep their medical card.Yes you are seeing that €73,000 correctly.

There are rumours that this shitless government there are ongoing talks to includes

1. Extention of the Free Travel Pass on buses and trains to all Flights.
2. A TV will now be issued with the Free TV Licience
3. Free Gas will be added to the Free Electricity, if the oldie does'nt have gas the equivalent with put into a Bank account of choice.

On a plus side at least the protests re-engaged some level of outrage, but the only people who will suffer are the ones earning a lotless than €36500/€73000, with house paid.

We in Ireland are suffering an economic recession and last Tuesday the Government introduced a tough budget for 2009. As part of that budget it was decided that people who are over 70 would not get the free medical card automatically, but would be means tested going foward.

Well in typical Irish fashion, hell has frozen over. Up to a couple of years ago they were means tested anyway until a give away budget granted 140,000 people who were'nt eligible for cards, in recognistion of building the country. 

Now there is outcry, my basic view is that if you can afford to pay for something ,pay for it and stop whingeing.

There are plenty of 70 plus people out there with good pensions and property and have the "means" to pay, state aid should be kept for those who need not some retired civil servant living in the leafy suburbs of South Co. Dublin with his final year salary.

Anyway if things are really bad B&Q are always hiring..................

Even Alistar Darling called our Finance Minister (Brian Lenihan) pleading with him not to do it, to which Lenihan, no doubt, reminded him of his superb handing of Northern Rock, and other market helping comments he has made over the last 6 months.

The British Bankers are angry because of the outflow of funds from British Banks to Irish Banks now that deposits are guaranteed by the Irish Government, bless them.

The Irish Govenment had a gun to its head Monday Night/Tuesday Morning and probably secured the financial system in Ireland by its quick action, which in turn ensures jobs. To have the British Bankers whinge is ironic, since they have been silent through out this crisis.

Maybe the Governments should look at the Irish Govenments move and see if they could replicate it, rather whinge that they did'nt think it up first.I think its quiet refreshing to see a government ACT LIKE A GOVERNMENT and show leadership

Additionally, you have a job for life, coupled with a final salary pension. Should Mr Public Service want more money get another job like the rest of us.

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While the retired civil servants will be happy playing garden bowls, the rest of us mugs will have to spend our childrens inheritance trying to stay warm and keep up with inflation and, the best part, continue working until we collapse. Read the BBC News story.

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These disclosures won't do anything but further decrease consumer confidence and contribute to a continuing economic decline, in the same way his chance remarks about temporarily suspending stamp duty stopped the housing market dead.

Way to go Alistair!

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