Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

The consultants use the facilities in private hospitals for public patients. Last week I attended an event in the Mater Hospital for the arrival of new cancer equipment. This equipment is not available anywhere else on these islands, not in Scotland, England, Wales or Northern Ireland. It has come first to the Mater Hospital. One quarter of the patients using it will be public patients. I see no difficulty in that.

It is not a good idea to separate them totally with Chinese walls. I am very clear about that. A campus hospital, with private and public hospitals, with the proper facilities and co-location, is good for public patients. That is my view after seeing the argument from both sides, as an administrator, an accountant, a practising politician, and Joe Public, as well as being Taoiseach.

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