Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)

He needs to show his commitment through his actions. These debates merit serious attention because they concern the delivery of fundamental services. The health service is important not only to those who work in it but also the wider population who trust they will receive care when they need it.

I acknowledge there are significant pressures on health budgets but the Minister's proposals for universal health insurance represent a fundamental shift in policy. I do not expect him to produce a White Paper next week but he should at least provide an outline of what he has asked the implementation group to investigate and report on by the end of this year or the beginning of 2013. Is it investigating the broad issue of universal health insurance or has he asked it to consider specific issues? The funding of our health service in the future is a fundamental issue.

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