Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

What is required is that we move towards a unified health care system. The Government's intention during its period in office is to put in place supports, particularly in the primary care system, that will make a significant difference. This is really an issue for the Minister for Health, who makes the recommendations to the Minister for Finance every year to make provision in the Finance Bill. The recommendation on the charge is really a policy issue for the Minister for Health. However, I understand the difficulty we face. If we want risk equalisation and a funded system that can meet our requirements, it must be funded. I fully accept that what we have seen in recent years is an increase.