David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I will continue with my contribution because the Minister needs to hear what people outside this House are saying and also to hear what people inside the House are saying when he is not here.

The reality is that a market-driven approach to health care will not work. Opening it up further to private health insurance will not work. The only system that will work and be fair and equitable is one funded through general taxation and delivered free at the point of delivery and based on equality and health need alone. That is the only way in which health care should be provided.

Any other way will continue the two-tier system and the inequalities we have in health care. Unfortunately, as long as the Minister, Deputy Reilly, is Minister, and as long as there is a Fine Gael Minister for Health, we will get more of the same.