Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Some people have lost trust in the system here, which is not a criticism of medical professionals. It happens in all areas, including the legal world. It happens in every sphere of Irish life. If a GP is satisfied that a person requires an opinion and perhaps treatment, there is nothing preventing that GP from giving a person a referral letter in order to travel. The disadvantage with the treatment abroad scheme is that the person has to pay in advance and then try to recoup the costs afterwards.