James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy is quite correct. I certainly do not want to see that. Next year will be very focused on renegotiating contracts with private hospitals and consultants in respect of the payments they receive, how they bill, the procedures they charge for and how they are paid. We shall have an opportunity to reduce greatly the cost of private health care in this country, which should result in a reduction in premia for health insurance. That is my desire and goal. I do not suggest that it will not be fraught with difficulty and that we will have many a protestation.