Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)

Two weeks ago a newspaper quoted a Department official as saying the Department had been "outfoxed", to use the word contained in an internal memorandum, by the medical and dental professions. The long list of services that would have to be covered became a de facto way of nobbling the idea. The dental profession suggesting that a filling should not be covered was another outfoxing manoeuvre. How does the Minister respond to the publication of the comment from within his Department that it had been outfoxed by the professions?

Why does the Minister believe it would result in higher charges when the Competition Authority, the Director of Consumer Affairs and many others believe it would be a service to customers and possibly through the introduction of a slightly more competitive environment would lead to a reduction in prices?

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