Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

If the Cabinet committee did not consider the health service plan, why does it exist? The most impactful decision on the health service for the next 12 months will be the health service plan. By definition, it will have an enormous impact on the level and quality of services that will be provided. It is an extraordinary admission to state that the Cabinet Committee on Health has not given any consideration to the health service plan.

Will the Taoiseach confirm whether the committee discussed the directorates that are to be established within the HSE that were announced in December by the Minister, Deputy Reilly? Will the Cabinet committee conduct a cost analysis on the universal health insurance proposition while it is preparing a White Paper?

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