Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I again wish to record my opposition to the passage of this Bill. I intend to oppose vigorously the measures contained within it. It is a major disappointment. Only now is there an emerging realisation on the part of a great number of the citizenry of what is incorporated in these proposals. I oppose the Minister's intent. It is regrettable that the only laudable aspect of the Bill is not part of an overall plan, or an outline and clearly defined plan to introduce universal health insurance. I am speaking specifically about the requirement of those availing of public hospital beds, who are privately insured, to pay the appropriate cost of their inpatient care. That is something I have repeatedly advocated but is also ill-provided for by this Bill. Other measures include a significant increase in the cost of the fair deal scheme and increased costs from €75 to €80 for patient care, which is absolutely unacceptable on top of all the other additional costs people are having to bear in these times. I, therefore, oppose the Bill and wish to indicate that at the very beginning of Committee Stage.

See this speech in context