Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

If it had been sorted out a year ago, it might have cost €800 million as opposed to €850 million. That is not the point. The fact is that from 1976 when the late and great Brendan Corish was Minister for Health, problems arose as a result of this. Several Ministers from both sides of the House were involved since. We must solve what the Supreme Court said. Throwing the issue around and trying to claim the €1 billion cost arose under the former Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Martin, is really a waste of time. It is not even smart politics.

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