Colm Burke (Fine Gael)

I agree with Senator Barrett on the matter of health insurance. I have previously referred to a particular health care provider that is prepared to reduce costs by 6% but still the VHI will not offer cover to people admitted to that care unit. I filed a complaint on the matter which is now under investigation by the Competition Authority.

We are coming up to Christmas and although we are in difficult times, there will be a considerable amount of money spent between now and Christmas Day. It is important to highlight the need for people to buy Irish.

Interestingly, a story appeared in a newspaper this morning about a GAA club, which raised the issue of how tickets for the all-Ireland hurling and football finals are printed outside Ireland. The club in question intends to table a motion to ensure that all work done by the GAA is given to Irish companies. This highlights what can be done here to keep jobs and work in Ireland. This is a time when, more than ever, this needs to be done and when buying for Christmas, people should buy Irish and should support those who work in Ireland. This is an important issue Members should continue to highlight. Perhaps they should have a debate in the new year on the promotion of Irish goods at home and on bringing back support to Irish industry at home because there has been a tendency to deviate from that and to buy products that are not produced here even though they are available from companies operating here. When the agenda for the coming months is set, I seek the inclusion of a debate on this issue.