Luke Flanagan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I have adopted the same philosophy when it comes to the health care system. I do not have private health insurance. I use the public health care system. I had the pleasure – it was not a pleasure at the time but it was afterwards to get it done - of having my tonsils removed under the public system. It was difficult to get in but once one got in, it was quite good. From the perspective that one can use the system without paying for health insurance on the basis that one has paid for it through one’s taxes begs the question of whether that part of the system needs to change much. I agree in principle with the notion of universal health care. It makes sense. One of the issues that must be tackled if one wants it to work out well, because otherwise it will cost too much, is that one must get rid of the waste and overspending. The cost of drugs is the obvious case that comes to mind in the context of overspending. Another such cost is the cost of consultants. There is also a layer of middle management that we cannot afford to continue to pay to play hide and go seek. It is too expensive.

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