Róisín Shortall
Ceist:172 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason for the delay in circulating an enabling order to the health boards in respect of the medical cards for persons over 70 years of age; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that without such an order the health boards are unable to begin processing claims or advising persons over 70 years of age on the application procedure; and if he will arrange for the order to be made as soon as possible. [12736/01]