Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)

I accept that as a mea culpa from Fianna Fáil for economic policy from the year 2000 onwards, when almost all the cost rises in the Irish economy were led by increases in Government charges as an alternative to reforming the tax system in a fair and balanced way. As for competitiveness, does the Minister agree there is indeed a sheltered private sector? For example, I have yet to hear of families who have been obliged to take their children to a GP, including many low-income public servants, and who have found that the GP prices have decreased. It still costs €50 to €60 over almost all the country.

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