David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome all Members back after the summer recess. Much has happened over the past few weeks and months in many areas. We could raise a whole range of issues but the change in health policy by the Government is one that most merits debate in the House.

The big ideas and plans for health reform of the former Minister, Deputy Reilly, have been turned on their head by the current Minister, Deputy Varadkar. We seem to be rowing back on commitments made in the programme for Government and the centrepiece of the health reforms of Fine Gael and the Labour Party. The former Minister for Health, Deputy Reilly, talked tough when it came to dismantling the HSE and replacing it with a more democratic structure. That has not happened. Now we are told it may not be possible at all.

Universal health insurance was also a priority for the former health Minister. Anytime he was questioned on its modalities and logistics, as well as when it would happen, we were told it was all a work in progress. Briefings given to the current Minister now show it is not progressing very well at all and may no longer be policy.

We were told in last year’s budget that there would be free-GP care for the under-fives. We are still waiting for that. How will it be rolled out? The medical card fiasco, on which everyone in the House was agreed before we left for the recess, has still not been sorted out with many people still left without their medical cards. There are uncertainties about how effective the hospital trusts and groups set up across the State are with some positions in them that have not been filled. There are a significant number of issues in the health services, most especially the change in policy and the direction the current Minister will take, which need to be discussed.

I am not going to move an amendment to the Order of Business today as it would be unreasonable to expect the Minister for Health to come into the House on the first day back. However, will the Leader arrange for a debate on health, as it is an important issue for everyone and it is important we hear directly from the Minister on all the issues involved?