John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)

Deputy Callanan said we have a good health system in that people in other countries must pay for care. Perhaps the Deputy will point out where that applies in Europe. Ireland is unusual in the European context in having a peculiar hybrid system. Essentially, the public sector pays for the private sector. Only 10% of the funding comes from health insurance; the rest is publicly funded. There is a huge imbalance in our society that is unjust and unacceptable. Those who have money are attended to first, get better treatment and are privileged, while those who do not have money are discriminated against. There can be no argument about that.

The starting point of any debate on health must be about reforming the inherent injustice in that system. There must be an even playing field so I strongly support the proposal in the motion for the introduction of universal health insurance. There are a number of ways to even the playing field. There could be an NHS type system or universal health insurance, and there are different models for that. A common waiting list could be introduced. However, it is clear that the Government is not interested in any of these measures and is happy to continue with this strange public-private system. We are heading towards a private system. The term "yellow pack" has been used increasingly with reference to the public system. There may be more beds in the public system but the type of treatment will be inferior and this is the difficulty.

Deputy Fiona O'Malley talks about the so-called success of the National Treatment Purchase Fund, but it can only be regarded as a stopgap measure. I accept that certain people are now better off because of it but if we continue with it, we will entrench a system which is inherently unjust.

I met a woman last night who needs a basic operation. She has a kidney failure problem but she does not have insurance. One hears about this situation in the United States but this woman has to save up her money to go to the Blackrock Clinic. This is an appalling indictment of our society and such situations are becoming more commonplace.

One of the elements missing from the motion is preventative care. I would have liked some reference to the implementation of the recommendations of the task force on obesity and the task force on alcohol. Alcohol abuse costs this country €2.65 billion every year. It creates a burden on accident and emergency units where injuries caused by anti-social behaviour are treated. It is an appalling drain on the country's resources, yet the Government chooses to ignore it. The alcohol products Bill, which was due to be introduced, was shelved at the behest of the alcohol industry and this will become an issue in the general election. While people acknowledge the drink culture which exists and which is sometimes celebrated——

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