Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I fully concur with what Senator Feargal Quinn stated in regard to the cost of medical procedures in this country. For a long time we have observed medical inflation at levels which are unsustainable. The debate sought by Senator Quinn would be a good and useful starting point for us in regard to this entire area, which obviously reflects badly on our Department of Health and on the HSE . It is interesting that in spite of all the recent debates on public service reform and pay levels the situation remains. I refer to hospital consultants but not to them alone - we have only to look at our legal profession. We can see the amount of privilege that is being abused and exploited right across society, to the detriment of those at the lower end of the socio-economic scale.

We still have a situation whereby people like hospital consultants, members of the legal profession and others are abusing and exploiting their positions of privilege, to the detriment of those who are at the lower end of the socio-economic scale. As a House, we could usefully have a good debate on that issue. We should also broaden that debate to include a discussion on the need for a very strong and effective new Department of competitiveness and consumer affairs because in many areas, the consumer is getting a very raw deal.

I support Senator Landy's call for a debate on the recently published report on pensions. The report is timely because the issue of pensions is critical. Many women have no pensions, many leave the workplace during periods of maternity leave and also for periods when they are rearing their children. It is very important to focus on these matters. Many economic commentators over the years have identified pensions as a critical issue. The public service pension bill, for example, will be unsustainable into the future. It needs to be examined.