John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)

It is unacceptable to rush through important legislation that has been promised for many years and, if passed, could stand for another 30 years, a point made to us repeatedly when we receive delegations. Every Deputy has received many representations in respect of this legislation, but the Minister is saying that it is fine to rush the legislation through. If she sat on this side of the House, she would also say that it is unacceptable. I do not understand how we did not have enough legislation with which to deal in the last Dáil. I referred to binge legislation such as this, namely, rushing legislation through. Consequently, the legislation is bad.

This morning, the Minister spoke of how 37% of people used to be privately insured whereas the current figure is 52%. The reason is that people do not have faith in our public service. They will have less faith if we rush through legislation.

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