Harney rejects criticism of health-sector privatisation

Minister for Health Mary Harney has rejected Labour Party criticism of increasing privatisation in the health service.

The opposition party has tabled a motion in the Dáil opposing what it says is the growing influence of profit-driven interests under the current Government.

It says the situation is exacerbating the existing two-tier system when the coalition should be trying to ensure that people are treated on the basis of need rather than income.

Speaking in the Dáil last night, Labour TD Brendan Howlin said Ms Harney's was overseeing a "profound shift" towards privatised healthcare that would cause major hardship and make inequality a central plank of the health system for generations to come.

The minister, however, insisted that private healthcare played a complementary role in the current system and said many private hospitals were run on a not-for-profit basis.

She also said the Government's move to allow private facilities on the grounds of public hospitals would provide high-quality care and reduce the burden on the taxpayer.