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

I am conscious of the time so I will not go back into that subject again, but like everybody else, I have a view and I am entitled to express it. That is what I am doing. With regard to the provision of private accommodation in the children's hospital, I do not have an ideological problem with a crossing over between the public and private sectors provided that is necessary. If we are building a very modern hospital, the like of which has never been embarked on previously in this country, I hope nobody is suggesting that we should exclude private patients if the services in the hospital are appropriate to their needs. Private patients pay tax as well. That must be borne in mind. Playing around with the situation in that area is not acceptable. We have a serious requirement on hand to provide a modern service and a children's hospital comparable to anything available globally. Any attempt either to segregate people or prevent them from gaining access as required is unacceptable.