Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

People are rightly concerned about health. They deserve the collective, non-partisan support of all Members of this House. Public apprehension has been caused by all politicians who have used health as a political football, and never more so than inside and outside this House today and yesterday. When it comes to reforming the health service, patient care must be to the fore. It should be our only concern because we cannot allow health to be used as a political football by vested interests.

The reform of our health service must not be based on ad hoc decisions, but be part of a vision for change which will deliver improved services to patients who are our fellow citizens. Those of us who profess to be republicans must look inside our hearts and do what is best for our people. We must do what is best for all our citizens, not just for the ballot box or cheap headlines. We should not cast slurs on Members of the House by making disparaging remarks about them.

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