Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

Under the health strategy of 2001, a commitment was given to produce new legislation in 2002 to provide a legislative framework guaranteeing the entitlement to health care and personal social services of every citizen across the State. The 2001 strategy indicated legislation would be produced in 2002. Eight years later, why have we only received the Title of the Bill? We are told in the new legislative programme that the heads of the Bill have not been agreed and it cannot be indicated when the legislation will be published. Noting the Minister's response, I must ask whether there is any real intent on the part of the Government to publish the eligibility for health and personal social services Bill. To clearly state the entitlements of citizens would run totally contrary to the Government's entire policy of promulgating a two tier health system that provides for those who can afford it and denies to an ever growing number of people who simply cannot afford it.

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