Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)

There is a reason for my question. The Minister spoke about a mandate; he is very strong in his view that he has a mandate for universal health insurance. Equally, however, he has a mandate not to hike insurance premia, as he stated prior to the election. He was not given a mandate to bring forward proposals and policies that would hike up private health insurance. The conduct of policies in the budget of last year has been the exact opposite.

The Dutch model, for example, is clearly under huge stress and will have enormous difficulties in the years ahead in funding itself. It is now curtailing supports and services to people, in particular those at the latter stages of life. There should be a strong debate on that subject in this House. The Minister claims he has this mandate and I do not deny this. Equally, however, this House should have a role with a strong debate on how we will go about funding health services. The change the Minister proposes may not be suitable or applicable to the Irish system that has evolved over many years. The Minister stated, and all the reports show, that the Irish health services have moved forward and have increased quality of life for patients on a broader basis. What is happening here is not all wrong.

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