Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 920: To ask the Minister for Health if he will deal a matter (details supplied) in relation to professional consultants' fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23459/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Under current eligibility arrangements the decision to see a medical consultant as a private patient results in a private contract between the consultant and the patient. The patient then remains private for the duration of their episode of care.

The Medical Council's Guide to Professional Conduct and Ethics for Registered Medical Practitioners states that the fees charged by them should be appropriate to the service provided and that patients should be informed of the likely costs before the consultation and treatment.

It is my belief that the fees charged by the majority of consultants at present are too high and while I, as Minister for Health, have no role in relation to such fees, I would expect clinicians to have regard to the overall economic situation in setting their fees.

The Government is embarking on a major reform programme for the health system. The aim of this reform is to deliver a single-tier health service that will deliver equal access to care based on need, not income.