Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan-Monaghan Brendan Smith has hit out at the Health Minister for the latest in a string of broken promises by this Fine Gael led Government.  Minister Leo Varadkar has admitted that the Government has now completely abandoned its policy to deliver free GP care for all citizens.

Deputy Smith commented, “Minister Varadkar’s announcement brings to a close a disastrous five years for our health service.  As a result of botched policies and a series of bogus budgets waiting lists are now longer, Emergency Departments are in chaos and rural services have been decimated by Fine Gael and Labour.

“The two key promises of Universal Health Insurance and free GP care have now been completely abandoned by this Government, which appears to have no health plan whatsoever.  The health service is under staffed, under resourced and under huge strain – all because of the Fine Gael’s failures for vision and failure to deliver.

“We cannot allow Fine Gael and Labour put our health service at risk.  We need real policies, real plans and concrete measures that will put community services and patients first.  Fianna Fáil believes in a publicly funded, publicly delivered health service that puts the patient above the structures.

“It’s time for a fresh start in health and a government that recognises the importance of investing in public services instead of presiding over their consistent deterioration.  There is a clear choice in this election and Fianna Fáil will put investment in services and dignity for patients back at the heart of our health service.”