Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party) | Oireachtas source

The Irish Medical Organisation submission gets it correct in the first sentence which refers to austerity and the ongoing recession having a detrimental impact on the health of the population and our health system. The submission further states that the IMO is also concerned about growing health inequalities and inequalities in access to care. These are all very serious issues arising from the disastrous austerity bailout policy which we cannot deal with in detail this morning. Prominent members of the medical profession - whether members of the IMO or not - accentuate this inequality by making a big business of sickness. Private hospitals and private clinics are accentuating inequality.

It is important to make the point that the people who invest in such facilities, etc., namely, the main movers, are probably much higher up the food chain than ordinary doctors.

It is quite incredible that the issue relating to junior doctors remains ongoing. Is this matter going to be brought to a head and is the IMO to put it up to the Government to resolve it? This is a running scandal and it has been allowed to continue for decades. Will the IMO, like other elements within the trade union movement, bottle it at the last minute and enter into a shabby compromise that will leave junior doctors in the mess in which they already find themselves? People depend on these young doctors, many of whom have graphically and quite correctly spelt out the risks involved in their working long hours. I urge the IMO to push this matter to a conclusion.

In the context of mental health, I fully agree with the sentiments expressed in the submission made by Mental Health Reform. Again, this matter comes down to resources. Unfortunately, it is necessary for those in the sector, particularly people who operate in the area of mental health, to continue to scream for resources. When it comes to mental health, many people cannot advocate on their own behalf. However, there is no doubt that advocacy is required.

I have never been convinced that the strategy of increasing prices is an effective mechanism for controlling and reducing alcohol and nicotine consumption. As everyone is aware, these are horrific addictions. In the context of low and middle-income households and those who are poor, the real danger is that, as prices rise, people will spend a higher percentage of their budgets in order to satisfy their addictions rather than decreasing their levels of consumption. I do not believe that continually increasing prices represents the way forward.

I completely agree with the representatives from the Irish Cancer Society and the Irish Heart Foundation that the tobacco companies should be hammered at every available opportunity and that every penny they possess should be taken from them. There should be no such thing as an ability to make profits from tobacco. It should be a publicly-owned enterprise and all moneys derived from it should be spent on campaigns aimed at reducing its use and ending people's addiction to it and on health care. Other strategies which I am sure our guests would also advocate include education, particularly in the context of children, and the banning of alcohol and tobacco advertising in every form. I am of the view that other societal issues give rise to the pressures of addiction but the crude mechanism of continually increasing prices is not the answer.