Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I too am very disappointed in the reply. I know the Minister of State was only reading out on behalf of the Minister what she received from the Department. The Government is supposed to have agreed to the Minister's proposals for an improved risk equalisation scheme, but we are not getting this. We are being charged more and more for health insurance. I have a large family and our insurance continues to rise. That is my situation and I can hardly continue with it. One goes for a procedure in a hospital and finds there is less and less cover. Pure rip-off Ireland is alive and well.

I accept this did not all happen under the tenure of the present Minister during the past 18 months, but costs have increased three times since he came to power. The insurers must be taken on, called aside and told to stop. We cannot keep crucifying the ordinary people and trying to draw blood from a stone. There is no blood in the stone - people do not have the money. The increases attack the efforts that have been made to cut waiting lists, procedure times and everything else in hospitals. Too much is being taken out in this regard. Consultants are using public facilities and we are being screwed, although I hate to use that word. It is an awful situation and it is untenable.

I look forward to meeting the representatives tomorrow at the committee, but the Government must act. It is in charge and must cry halt to rip-off Ireland.

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