Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)

I request that the Minister develop a step-by-step plan and that he ensure that by the end of the year it should be affordable for people to pay for private insurance. At present, many individuals have been ruled out of the market. The statistics back me up on this and indicate that people cannot afford to pay for private insurance. What is happening is not right. I accept the Minister is trying to establish a single-tier health system and dealing with the matter to which I refer is probably one of the most important aspects of achieving this goal. I request that he pursue this issue with all possible vigour in order that there be a level playing field and that ordinary people will be in a position to afford to pay for private insurance.

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