Gay Mitchell (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)

I thank Deputy Durkan for sharing time. When I was health spokesman, I used to draw attention regularly in the House to the excessive number of committees, review groups and study groups that existed in the Department. Whenever a crisis arose, the then Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Martin, appointed yet another review group or committee. It got to the stage where the Department could no longer tell how many committees existed. When I asked a parliamentary question to this effect, it took months for the relevant information to be compiled, after which I discovered that there were approximately 160 different committees. This was extraordinary. All of the vested interests were represented on those committees and the patients got what was left over. This practice must be brought to an end and if this Bill does so, I will welcome it. It is important that we put the patient first. We must not leave for the patient the leftovers that remain after the practitioners and others have carved up the budget.

It is not too strong to say that we have an apartheid-ridden health service. We know about private and public health care in the hospital system. If one considers more closely the primary health care system, one will note that it is also characterised by apartheid. People who have money can visit their doctor whenever they want and do not have any difficulty doing so, but those who do not have money cannot do so.

There is an agreement between the Irish Medical Organisation and the Government that up to 40% of the population can be covered by medical cards. The figure was approximately 39% when the rainbow Government left office, but it subsequently decreased to 28%. Some 28%, comprising the poorest citizens, were covered by medical cards, yet those who were marginally over the poverty line were not covered.

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