Dr. Robert Sweeney:

The commission's report refers to the cost of the private health insurance tax subsidy. I do not have it in front of me but it is in the region of €300 million to €350 million per annum. Personally, I do not think it is fair because it disproportionately benefits people who can afford private health insurance. There is a double unfairness there, in that they are subsidised and while they do not get access to better treatment, they get expedited access to the system. As I said in the opening statement, we definitely support the gradual phase-out of that subsidy. Obviously it must be in conjunction with moving towards a universal Sláintecare model.