James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)

If the Minister meant to say "universal health insurance", this can be achieved within a five year period and without additional costs. We are spending €5,000 annually on health for each man, woman and child in this country compared to €4,000 in Holland, which is ranks first in terms of quality and second in terms of value for money. If it can be done in that country, it can be done here.

The Minister might not formerly have wished to do it and perhaps she has since changed her mind but she has had a long time to introduce change. The people made their judgment in the last local elections and they shiver when they look at our health services. They do not have confidence in her or the HSE to deliver. I do not have confidence in this Bill because, while I would like to accept its bona fides, I do not believe it is the correct way to achieve its stated objectives. Addressing the substantive issues will require a different type of legislation. What is the Department, the HSE and HIQA doing if they cannot address these issues once and for all instead of introducing interim measures which hurt people, increase the cost of insurance to young families and push people out of the market? I intend to press my amendment to a vote because it lies at the core of my disagreement with the Minister.

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