Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

I move amendment No. 32a:

In page 12, between lines 10 and 11, to insert the following subsection:

"(19) In this section, payment in respect of a service rendered by a health professional includes payment in respect of goods provided by that health professional as part of the service.".

The purpose of this amendment is to make clear that the payment to a health professional for services rendered may include an element in respect of goods provided and not just a fee for the time and expertise of the professional concerned. Fees to health professionals can include a variety of elements, capitation fees, fee for item dispensed, fee for repairs to appliances and so forth. The subsection puts that issue beyond any doubt.

See this speech in context