I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 and 41 together.
A number of general principles govern the manner in which people have access to hospital services. A universal principal is that access to the services is determined by the needs of the patient. In the Irish hospital system there is a long-standing tradition of incorporating the public and private practices of hospital consultants within the public hospital system. I believe that this tradition has served the people of this country well in making the services of the most eminent and highly-skilled medical personnel available to all categories of patient.
Under the terms of the common contract consultants have the right to private practice within and without the hospital in which they are employed. However, in public hospitals the common contract stipulates that medical need should be the overall criterion for access to hospital and that admissions should be arranged accordingly. Admission policies and practices in private hospitals are a matter for those institutions.
However, I cannot accept that public patients who are in urgent need of treatment do not have access to hospital facilities. In the circumstances it is unavoidable that patients will exercise their right to seek treatment on a private basis. This can help relieve pressure on public facilities and facilitate speedier. access by those who are unable to avail of private facilities.