Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

In recent weeks, Ministers have been quoted on the record giving briefings about proposals they are bringing to Cabinet sub-committees. For example, the Minister, Deputy O'Dowd, did an interview at the weekend where he told the country about proposals he had with regard to the sub-committee dealing with infrastructure and its agenda. This is fair enough and I hope restrictions will not be imposed on us discussing issues with regard to the Cabinet sub-committee on health if others are doing so. The Taoiseach stated he would deal with this issue, but so far he has failed to do so.

With regard to the sub-committee on health, the Taoiseach stated its first meeting will be in the coming weeks. I find it extraordinary that it has not met already given the very serious issues on the agenda, such as Roscommon, the junior doctor crisis, the fair deal issue, the row with the VHI and the firing of the board of the HSE. Has the sub-committee been presented with a detailed plan with regard to compulsory health insurance proposals? Has it been given an outline plan on this? Does such an outline plan exist with regard to this fundamental question that is in the programme for Government? It will fall due to be considered by the Cabinet sub-committee on health.

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