Paul Bradford (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In economics, false concepts do not work in the long term. They have never worked anywhere and they do not work in this market either. Risk equalisation may be necessary in the very short term but we must try to move beyond the current system.

We must recognise, with deep concern, the huge numbers of people who can no longer afford private health insurance, putting further pressure on the public health service. The cost of health provision in Ireland is a fundamental question which we have not tackled, or hardly even answered.

I recognise, a Chathaoirligh, that I have only one minute left, which is why we need a more substantial debate.

Time after time, to Government after Government and Minister after Minister requests are made by the health insurance companies for an increase in fees because of the increase in costs. We must do significantly more to deal with costs. The Minister has been in office for only a number of months. He cannot be expected to perform miracles overnight. Nevertheless, the cost of health provision must be to the fore in this debate. No matter what kind of health insurance we have, whether universal or multi-whatever, if a product is expensive a big penalty must be paid by the consumer.

I have drifted somewhat from the Bill, but we need a substantial debate on the health service. We must recognise that there is no magic bullet. Universal health insurance, which we propose to introduce, will not be cheap. We must tackle the cost of health provision. It is something we have ignored for too long.