Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

The passage of the proposed motion will have far-reaching implications for health funding in the State and for the many people who contribute to personal health insurance, be it through the VHI or any of its competitors. This amounts to a complete farce and represents an insult to the Dáil and to the people who elected us. The provision of 25 minutes to address a matter of such import is completely inadequate. I hope the Minister for Finance will heed the voices of Opposition Members and recognise that there must be an extension of the debate, particularly in light of what is being proposed.

I fail to understand how the fault in this regard can lie solely with the Progressive Democrats, particularly when the Government, of which Fianna Fáil is also a part, has put forward this proposition. I do not understand the Labour Party's exoneration of Fianna Fáil from responsibility in respect of what is being proposed.

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