asked the Minister for Health if, in order to reduce to the minimum those differences in the quality and scope of the health services which help to impede progress towards the unity of the Irish people, he will indicate the steps he proposes taking to bring the level of the health services to that level universally available to all income levels under the British national health service in the North of Ireland.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Health Services.
47.
I would refer the Deputy to the remarks which I made on this matter in the House on 4th July, 1972, during the debate on the Estimate for my Department (Dáil Debates, Vol. 262, columns 584 and 585). I do not think that I need add to those remarks at the present time.
The Minister will agree that this is one area to which the people in the North particularly make reference when they are talking about disparities between the Republic and Northern Ireland. They constantly refer to the lack of proper health services, as they term it, in the South.
I have already dealt with that publicly on a number of occasions.
The Minister has not come forward with any constructive plans for putting our services on a par with those in the North.
I do not propose to discuss it this afternoon with 300 questions involved.