Nicole Ryan (Sinn Fein)

I am calling for the Minister for Health to come to the House for a debate on the future of healthcare on our island. We recently launched a proposal that put the case for an Irish national health and care service. In the context of the increasing discussion around a future united Ireland, healthcare will be one of the defining issues for our people, North and South. It is not sustainable, nor does it make sense for an island of just 7 million people, to maintain two fragmented health systems, both struggling under pressure. The proposal outlines clear practical steps for delivering a world-class, universal and integrated health service across the island, one that includes a ministerial health body with cross-Border oversight, a single all-island waiting list system, shared workforce planning, digital infrastructure, emergency service alignment and a rural health commission to ensure that rural communities do not get left behind.These are not vague ambitions. They are costed, evidence-based proposals that could improve outcomes for patients, staff and communities alike. I ask the Leader to arrange a debate with the Minister to show people that cross-Border co-operation is not just possible but essential for a healthier and fairer Ireland in the future.