Larry Butler (Fianna Fail)

This is an outrageous sum of money for any GP to charge. My GP charges €50 and this discrepancy of €45 is between two GPs a mile apart. A similar situation exists in the consultant business. One is charged €180 for a visit to a consultant and all he or she will do is send one for an X-ray. The consultant will charge another €100 or €150 to read the X-ray when one returns. It is time that we had a full debate in the House on how the public is being treated by the medical profession. It is not good enough. This is an opportune time to reduce the prices that medical people charge. It is important to bring the Minister for Health and Children to the House and acquaint her with what is going on at local level and ensure people are not ripped off daily. Will the Leader ensure this happens as promptly as possible? I know he is under pressure but this is an urgent matter. An ordinary person who wants to visit a GP cannot do so because of financial constraints and this is not good enough.

I support Senator Twomey's comments on the fact that people are heavily indebted privately. Many people went astray with regard to indebtedness on credit cards. It is amazing that the banks allowed ordinary people to run up substantial bills which they will never be able to afford to pay. Senator Twomey is right that this is a serious matter. When we address the banking system, credit cards and how people can afford to pay these debts to the banks must be examined.