Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

I am just going to comment briefly. I would bring the rate down to zero to be honest. I just do not see why these providers should make a profit. We are probably not going to get into this debate, but I cannot understand how a Government committed to universal, single tier healthcare can think it is acceptable these companies are making any profit at all. I cannot see how they are anything other than parasitical on the health service. There is no good reason to have these people, other than the inequity that exists in the provision of healthcare and the fear we discussed earlier, which they are profiteering from. They have no good purpose here at all. Is there any intention really to get these parasites out of the health service ultimately? When I use that phraseology, I want to be clear that I am not talking about ordinary workers working in those places, whom I am sure are ordinary decent people who could probably play an important role. Administrators are often attacked by various people in the House . Administration is actually necessary in the health service, but I do not actually think sending out bills to people to make profits for private companies has anything useful to contribute to the provision of healthcare. I do not, therefore, see why these companies should be allowed to make any profit at all out of health.

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