Tá ceist agam maidir le clár an Rialtais. The programme for Government makes numerous commitments about the management of hospital referrals. However, the MRI unit in Cork University Hospital recently sent letters to Dr. Nick Flynn, a general practitioner in Hollyhill, Cork, detailing the patient referral system operating in that unit. The letters say that patients referred to the unit by a GP will not receive an appointment. Referrals have to be made by a consultant in order to obtain a scan.

However, one of the letters goes on to state that GP referrals would be accepted where the patient was willing to self pay or had health insurance. Therefore, wealth, not health, is the decisive factor. As the Taoiseach knows, in some cases the waiting time is two years. Will the Taoiseach ask the Minister for Health to investigate this downright offensive act of medical discrimination whereby vulnerable patients are not given their scans or referrals as required?

Bed capacity is obviously an issue there as well. The Government wants the best outcome to be made available for all patients. That is why the universal health system should apply to all. The Minister for Health is focusing on a ten-year programme. In addition, the €300 million which was put into the budget last year and the extra €500 million this year will go to deal with many of the more difficult issues that have been in the health system for some time. I am sure the Deputy welcomes the announcement yesterday of legislation on medical cards for recipients of the domiciliary care allowance.

As regards GP referrals, we have had a two-tier health system for so many years. That is why the Government's emphasis is on providing a universal health system that applies to everybody. In that way, people can have medical attention as close to them as possible when they need it. That is where the Minister's focus and priority will be.

Will the Taoiseach ask the Minister for Health to investigate this issue?

Definitely.