Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Anti-Austerity Alliance) | Oireachtas source

I thought Ms Loughnane's presentation was very interesting. I am keen to pick up on the point she made about tax-funded systems being more economical. There is probably a perception that a tax-funded system based on taxes paid by the general public for the purposes of a more egalitarian system probably costs more. It was interesting to hear from experts who believe it would cost less. Ms Loughnane painted some broad strokes in respect of how it might cost less or how it actually costs less in practice. She gave the example of economies of scale and less competition within the system. I am unsure whether the members of the deputation would need to consider the issue before sending in material, but is it possible for them to go into that in a little more detail? Could they set out the broad strokes, how it plays out and the nature of those savings? I am keen to hear a little on that.

My other question relates to moving in the direction of the tax-funded system and a public health system in this country. What are the issues posed by where we are now? In particular, I have in mind the issues with where we stand regarding church and State within the health service in terms of ownership of hospitals and boards of hospitals. How great an issue is that? How does the deputation envisage this playing out in terms of moving towards a tax-funded, publicly-run system?