Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

Will those young people be able to access private hospitals or what hospitals and services will they be able to access? What will happen when they are 17? Will Deputy Twomey's proposal be compulsory and will the service be provided free to all of them? These are significant issues.

I must be honest about this. Twenty years ago, it was Progressive Democrats policy to ensure universal insurance for everybody. However, when analysed and studied, the proposal caused serious problems. First, it is a compulsory tax on some and second, the insurance companies decide what health facilities are kept open and what hospitals to do business with depending on whether they like their rates. In such a scenario, the insurers drive where the activity happens. In a system like ours, where we are committed to paying the salaries of those we have employed for the rest of their working lives and their pensions, there are serious issues with universal coverage.

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