Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senators for their contributions and the broad welcome for the Bill from all parties and independent Members.

Senator Paschal Mooney mentioned issues around medical indemnity insurers, which have increased their premiums considerably. There is a cap of €565,000 in a case of negligence, above which the Government picks up the bill, even when the negligence occurs in a private hospital on the part of a fully private consultant. There are issues of equity as to whether the taxpayer should be liable for this. The Senator made the valid point that if all of these patients were to appear as private patients in public hospitals or the public system, there could be potential costs and issues. There was an element of this regarding Mount Carmel Hospital, a private obstetric hospital which became unviable for various reasons. Many of the patients who would have attended the hospital are in the National Maternity Hospital and other hospitals. The Senator’s point is well made and valid and we are examining it. I will bring an amendment before the Government in the coming months after we have assessed the case on both sides because there is always a risk that the case being made by the consultants is being overstated and we must ensure we protect the taxpayer’s interests.