Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)

I totally refute the Deputy assertion. Everything we have done, including the new consultant contract, medical card arrangements, screening programmes and the establishment of the fair deal, was precisely to deal with people who did not have appropriate access to public facilities. It remains my determination to continue to improve access to our public health services on the basis of medical need, rather than any other basis. If we were to have a free-for-all, those at the bottom would not receive that to which they are entitled.

On the specific question on the legislation, we remain determined to introduce the Bill and I hope a major advance will be made during this calendar year.

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