Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)

I have suggested to the Joint Committee on Health and Children that it might consider the operation of Kaiser Permanente or the Veterans Health Administration in the United States. Other health care systems are also moving away from that model. I say this with sincerity.

We have established a group, led by Professor Ruane and with many experts from Ireland and overseas, which will report next month on the most appropriate way of allocating resources in health. We should have a genuine debate on this issue and stop pretending there is an infinite pot of money-----

See this speech in context