Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Two weeks from now, Ministers will know what their budgets will be. At that point, they will be able to determine how their allocations should be spent and will obviously have to identify priorities. The nature of health and all areas of public expenditure is that everyone believes his or her priorities should be the main ones, but the nature of politics is that decisions must be taken on what the priorities should be.

I emphasise that health expenditure has been reduced from €16 billion in 2008 to €14 billion this year and that, in cash terms, the Department makes the largest contribution of all Departments towards balancing the books.

My objective in next year's budget is not to look for loads of extra money. I am realistic about that. I am seeking to hold health spending next year at what it is this year.

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