Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator David Cullinane's comments deserve a response from this side of the House. There is an impression that the private health care sector is not providing a service. There are over 2 million appointments per annum in the private health care sector outside hospitals. Is the Senator suggesting this should be abolished and adopted into the public hospital system? I do not believe the public hospital system could adjust to such a volume of appointments overnight. It is important that criticism is constructive. There is value for money in the private health care sector. The Minister has outlined how the insurance industry has brought down some of the costs charged in the private sector. It is about getting value for money and reducing costs.

Every time the issue of health care is debated in the House, an impression is given that there is nothing happening in health care provision. The figures I gave this morning clearly indicate a comprehensive service is being provided in a large number of areas. I accept that there are delays in some areas, but they have been reduced. This country has one of the best records on maternity care and long may this continue. That record still stands, despite the fact that there are increased demands on the service, from 54,000 deliveries per year to over 75,000.

I am not defending consultants, but Senator David Cullinane is of the view that those involved in the medical care sector are only in it for the money.