Alex White (Dublin South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I take the points the Senator has raised. The costs that are set out in the schedule are the economic costs of the provision of the service. It is not unreasonable to look at some of them and gasp. However, I am instructed they represent the economic cost of the provision of the service. Everybody is concerned about the issue, not least the Minister. Today the Minister announced the establishment of a consultative forum to involve all the insurers. There is concern across the board, including on the part of the insurers. Most importantly we need to consider the citizens and the consumer. That is the concern that preoccupies us and cost is a major issue here. Today the Minister announced the establishment of a consultative forum to address many of these concerns, involving the insurance companies under the chairmanship of Mr. Pat McLoughlin.

I cannot disagree with the tenor of much of what the Senator has said. I believe the forum will assist us to understand the parameters of what is happening with cost. Cost must be driven down. Real efforts are being made to do so but they need to be redoubled and that is the view of the Minister for Health.