Colm Burke (Fine Gael)

-----but we will arrive decisions which are in the best interests of this country.

I refer to the role of the VHI in the private health care sector. The company has taken a decision not to cover patients who wish to avail of services at a brand new hospital in Cork. The hospital cost €75 million to build. It is fully equipped with MRI scanners, four new operating theatres and state-of-the-art facilities. The other two health insurers are prepared to provide cover but the VHI is not. I filed a complaint with the Competition Authority because this is anti-competitive. Will the Leader bring this matter to the attention of the Minister for Health? It is important that there be a debate on the matter, given the VHI is adopting a role it was not set up to perform, which is to decide who can and cannot provide health care. Patients who are prepared to use the Cork hospital or the Mater Private hospital, which has an established record in Dublin, are being provided with cover for the Dublin facility but not for the Cork facility. It is a disgrace and this matter needs to be debated.