Paul Bradford (Renua Ireland) | Oireachtas source

No. 69 on the clár relates to the report of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children on the cost of medical indemnity insurance. It would be good if we could discuss the report and other health insurance costs which all add to the pressure on the health service and the cost of private health insurance. We have had the announcement, over the past day or so, by VHI of another increase in the cost of providing health insurance. We should not be surprised by it because the price of health care increases almost on a monthly basis.

Now that the great hopes for universal health care and Dutch health models, Australian models and Canadian models have all been consigned to the dustbin of manifestos, we have to recognise that we are left with a tweaking of the current health system. With proper structural change and investment the system certainly can work. It is the cost of the provision of that service, the cost of not just insurance but of consultancy and so much more, which needs to be tackled.On more than an annual basis the insurance providers seek an increase, it is acceded to and the taxpayer and citizen has to foot the bill. We need to look into the reason health insurance is costing so much. No. 69 could form part of that debate. It is clear we are not going to move to any new model of health care provision in the medium or distant future. We are stuck with the model we have and we must try to make it work and affordable. We must also tackle the cost issue. It would be helpful if the Leader could arrange a debate in this regard in respect of which, as I said, No. 69 could be a helpful introduction.