Politicians lobbied HSE 21,000 times on medical cards

HSE bombarded by pleas from ministers and TDs in last six months. Reilly sought to influence officials while implementing card squeeze.

Government ministers, TDs and senators have bombarded the HSE with more than 21,000 phone calls and emails seeking medical cards for their constituents so far this year.

Those with the most phone calls to the HSE's medical card unit included former health minister Dr James Reilly.

Between January and June this year, his office phoned the HSE 150 times and sent 57 emails with medical card queries.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny's office made 61 ...