Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

If that is the case, belated though it is, it must be welcomed. He was careful in his speech last night to repeatedly express his support for private medicine. He should listen more carefully to Dr. John Barton of Portiuncula Hospital, one of the strongest critics of privatisation in our health services and, I understand, a would-be party colleague of Deputy Twomey here after the next general election.

I welcome what Deputy Twomey said about ending private hospital co-location schemes. He is obviously supporting the motion. I urge him to oppose the use of tax incentives to promote, as the motion states, the development of private super-clinics. I have not seen that in Fine Gael policy so far, but I welcome the party's support for the Labour Party motion which includes that reference. However, another Fine Gael Deputy has welcomed the luxury Adare hospital which is subsidised by tax incentives. We need clarity. What is Fine Gael policy and what will be the policy of a Fine Gael-Labour-led administration if one is ever formed? We need to know if they will end tax breaks for private hospitals. That must be spelt out because the public deserve to know.

A world class health service cannot be provided while the public purse subsidises both public and private health care. The private system will always win and under this Minister that is absolutely the case. The system will be world class but only for the privileged few while the rest of us will have to struggle with second class service. That is unacceptable.

Sinn Féin unashamedly supports a universal, publicly provided health service with access for all based on need alone. That is the critical position and I hope it is the Labour Party position and that, in time, good sense will come to Fianna Fáil.

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