Coalition tensions on health costs

The Taoiseach said a “cost containment measure” will be included in legislation setting up Universal Health Insurance, after claims that the policy could result in a cost per family of up to €4,000 a year.

Tensions have emerged between the coalition parties over the policy being pushed by Health Minister James Reilly, which Public Expenditure Minister Brendan Howlin has concerns about on grounds of cost.

Mr Howlin said at the weekend that the issue was not yet gone to “a political level of discussions”. But he did not deny reports that his department had warned the proposal risked “creating a potentially open-ended financial liability for the Exchequer and the taxpayers”.