Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 44: To ask the Minister for Health if he has received the report of Amnesty International Healthcare Guaranteed? The Right to Health in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17898/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I received a copy of the Amnesty International Report, Healthcare Guaranteed? The Right to Health in Ireland, earlier this month and it is currently being reviewed by officials in my Department.

The Report provides a brief overview of the current health system in Ireland. It analyses access to healthcare in Ireland, in particular, economic access, and reviews current monitoring and accountability mechanisms relating to health.

The Report acknowledges the need for substantial reform of the health system. I understand that a key message emanating from the Report is the proposal that Government should commit to a legal guarantee to the right to health. This guarantee would require equity of access and ensure that cost is not a barrier to care.

The Government shares many of the concerns regarding the health system which are raised in the report; that is why we have committed to a major reform programme. The fundamental aim of our reform programme is to deliver a single-tier health service, supported by universal health insurance, which will deliver care based on need, not on income. The universal health insurance system will give patients a choice of insurer and will guarantee that every citizen has equal access to a comprehensive range of curative services, including both primary and hospital care.

Finally, it is important to acknowledge that all countries - no matter how prosperous - must make choices in meeting healthcare demands with finite resources. This involves legitimate policy choices to be debated and resolved as part of the democratic process.