Howlin: Cabinet is united in support of UHI

Public Expenditure Minister Brendan Howlin has downplayed a rift at Cabinet over the cost of proposals for Universal Health Insurance.

Minister Howlin's department is understood to have misgivings about the cost of reforming the insurance sector - and ensuring everyone in the State has the same basic level of cover.

The Health Minister says failure to reform would be more costly and would lead to higher taxes and fewer services.

Minister Howlin says there needs to be a robust debate about the impact of the policy on the State's coffers - but the Cabinet is united in support of UHI.

"We're all on the same team, working to the same agenda," he said.

"That is to provide the fundamental change in health delivery that will ensure that we break away from a two-tier model of health delivery, that is determined by the thickness of your wallet, to a one-tier model, that provides healthcare on the basis of health need."