asked the Minister for Health if he will introduce a national health insurance scheme where everyone would pay health premiums according to their means, and those on very low incomes would have the premiums paid by the State.

The Deputy will be aware that I established the Commission on Health Funding last June. Their brief includes the examination of alternative approaches to financing the health services. I expect the commission to report later this year.

May I ask the Minister if the group of people who are going to report to him have been authorised to investigate the possibility of a national health insurance scheme which would surely achieve the laudable aim of having a one-tier treatment system in this country rather than the present two-tier system.

The terms of reference for the Commission on Health Funding are to examine the financing of the health services and to make recommendations on the extent and sources of the future funding required to provide an equitable, comprehensive and cost effective public health service and on any changes in administration which seem desirable for that purpose.

Would the Minister like to say to the House whether he sees possibilities in such a scheme?

I would not like to anticipate the report of the commission which I expect later this year.

Can the Minister assure the House that the commission will meet on a regular basis? My information is that even though it was formed in June they met, at a maximum, three times up to January. Surely if they meet at that rate we will be waiting a long time for recommendations for a service that is in crisis?

My information is that the commission are working extremely hard and that they have met a number of times — the exact number of times I do not know — but I am satisfied that the commission are working extremely hard and are putting a lot of effort into preparing this report.