Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

When the Deputy reads reports, she should read them thoroughly because the first page of the famous Goodbody report states, "The co-location initiative is highly beneficial for the public health system and the Exchequer. It delivers great value for money". Goodbody is working on behalf of the promoter of one of the sites and not the State. We take the advice of the National Development Finance Agency, NDFA, which is the Government's economic adviser. The proposal met the public sector benchmark and the agency said it would provide terrific value for money.

Private health insurance costs have increased since I became Minister because I have steadily increased the cost of private beds in the public health system. I have doubled the cost of such beds, which are subsidised by the State to the tune of €300 million annually.

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