Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

How do the witnesses address the suggestion the private system is benefitting disproportionately through the various health insurers on two grounds, first, on the basis of cherry picking and, second, in terms of cost comparisons in that it is regularly alleged that services are more cost effective in the private sector? Does that entail the comparison of like with like or is it, as is suggested, that less complicated cases are very often referred to the private sector? Is that a basis for a cost comparison that may be misleading?

The witnesses gave considerable information about the recruitment of doctors but what about the recruitment of consultants? We know of the difficulties in recruiting doctors and consultants in the public sector. How do the private hospitals recruit? Do the witnesses have an opinion on the issues that affect consultants who apply to take up positions? To what extent were consultants in private hospitals previously employed in the public sector or overseas?