Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

Deputy Ó Caoláin objects to the proposal that private beds available only for private use in public hospitals should be replaced by public beds for the use of public patients. I had expected most Members, particularly Deputy Ó Caoláin, to see the significant benefit in having all public beds in public hospitals available fully and exclusively for public use. I thought that was a progressive measure, but it is interesting to see that Sinn Féin is not in favour of that and wishes to continue with the position where there are public and private beds in public hospitals. That is the clear position.

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