Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On the background to the treatment abroad scheme, it is the result of an EU directive which said individual citizens of any member state could avail of healthcare in any other state within the EU. It is a question of awareness.

They were not aware for a long time that they could travel to another EU state, not just Belfast. They could go to Spain in the morning to have their hips done and perhaps avail of better sunshine during their recovery. That is a prospect for people.

People can come to Ireland as well to avail of healthcare. There are different specialties and waiting lists. Some countries have more capacity in their systems for some procedures and limited capacity for others. We have capacity in some areas and lack it in others. We are all aware of the areas where there is a lack of capacity. They are well highlighted.

Irish healthcare is much sought after. I spoke to the head of the police force in Dubai 12 months ago and he wants to do a deal with private healthcare in Ireland for coronary care because the Dubai police force believes the best cardiac care in the world is available in Ireland.

The Belfast issue is primarily the increase because people are availing of it. The Government is still paying for it. It is a capacity issue.