Colm Burke (Fine Gael)

I refer to a report in today's edition of The Irish Times on the involvement of University College Cork in a €9 million project on wave energy. A centre in the university has been appointed to co-ordinate the programme in 28 research centres in 12 member states of the European Union. This emphasises a point I made yesterday about the importance of research and development. It would be useful to have a debate in the Seanad to highlight the importance of sourcing funding and encouraging people to get involved in this area.

I revert to a point made by my colleague, Senator Labhras Ó Murchú, regarding VHI and the added costs being asked of people when paying health insurance, as well as the need for a co-ordinated long-term plan on this issue. While the concept of universal health care is under discussion, consideration also must be given to the refusal by VHI to give cover to a brand new facility in Cork which has now offered to quote at 6% below the current cost of medical care in one of the other hospitals in Cork. However, VHI is refusing to give cover to the new hospital, even though it is prepared to provide care at a cost that is 6% lower. This pertains to a reduction in costs, which is what competition does. This is the reason it is important to have a debate in the House on the issue of health care. It would be useful to have it at an early date to ensure that where there is an opportunity to reduce health care costs, it is taken and grasped at the earliest possible opportunity. The Leader should arrange a debate in the House on the issue.