Feargal Quinn (Independent)

The tax is affecting tourists, bed and breakfasts, hotels and campsites. The entire country is being affected by it and that should be recognised.

The Irish Timespublished an article today by Dr. Chris Luke, a consultant at Cork University Hospital. He apparently wrote to the newspaper five years ago to highlight the model used by Australia, South African and America under which young doctors are bonded to hospitals for a period. We do not do that. The Government has decided on a different system, which is leading to a shortage of doctors. At the same time, the VHI has pointed out that health care costs will increase by 7% annually for the next ten years. We can take steps to address this and one was highlighted in Dr. Luke's article.