Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

In terms of the substance contained within the paper, it is very shallow. It has no costings. One might suspect that many aspects of it are being deferred until after the local elections. Obviously, a substantial number of people will either face significant extra taxes or charges arising from it, or will have their existing level of cover restricted or cut back. Will the Taoiseach facilitate a debate in the House on the White Paper as quickly as possible, given the importance it potentially holds for many people? There is a need for clarity regarding the taxation issue. It is inevitable that a sizeable proportion of people will have to pay extra charges. Ultimately, universal health insurance is no more than a funding model. Nothing is free at the end of the day. Someone has to pay for the heath service. The model of funding is the key issue here. Now that the White Paper has been published - shallow and all as it is - I believe it should be debated in the House.

Can the Taoiseach tell us when the health (general practitioner medical service) Bill will be published? The Bill is necessary if the Government is to follow through on its commitment regarding GP care for those under the age of five. Will that legislation cover those who continue to have their medical cards taken from them in a random fashion? The elimination of discretionary medical cards is one of the scandals of this Government. It has hit hardest those who are sickest. I refer particularly to children with special needs and multiple conditions and to people with motor neurone disease and multiple sclerosis. When one knocks on doors and people come to one to complain that medical cards have been taken from them in such circumstances, it is difficult to comprehend. It reflects very badly on the Government. We need some legislative response to that in the context of the forthcoming Bill.

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