Eric Byrne (Dublin South Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The EU report makes some horrendous observations which must be attacked. The electorate voted for the fiscal treaty, so it is not as if we are doing something the people do not support. The Minister of State is not responsible for health or justice matters, unfortunately, although he has covered some points in his contribution. How can we explain, for example, that our public health care expenditure was the highest in the European Union. In 2012 it was running at 8.7% of gross national income, significantly in excess of the EU average of 7.3% of GNI? We know how delicate is the issue of providing health services but according to these figures, we have the highest relative public expenditure in Europe.