Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

File photo Shutterstock/Thaiview

Consultant says private hospital contract is ‘a bad deal’ for taxpayers

Last month the government reached an agreement with private hospitals to use all of their facilities during the Covid-19 crisis.

A CONSULTANT WORKING in the private sector has claimed that the government’s proposed public contract for private doctors is “a bad deal” for taxpayers.

Dr Crochan O’Sullivan, consultant cardiologist at the Bons Secour private hospital in Cork city, said the deal agreed a number of weeks ago is not good value for money.

Last month the government reached an agreement with private hospitals to use all of their facilities during the Covid-19 crisis.

Some 19 private hospitals are being used to treat public patients throughout the outbreak for a three-month period.

The deal is costing taxpayers about €115 million a month.

O’Sullivan told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland: “The Private Hospitals Association deal for us, as private consultants, our thought is that this is a bad deal for the taxpayer, a bad deal for the doctors and a bad deal for patients.

“Last Thursday (Minister for Health) Simon Harris confirmed, for example, that there were 3,400 patients treated in the private hospitals in April, which works out at €24,000 per patient, per episode.

“That is not good value for money.”

Speaking earlier this month, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said the €115 million estimated cost of the deal “may be right or it may be wrong“.

“It is an accurate estimate but it is not necessarily what the actual cost will be because we will not know that until the end, when the costs are calculated.  

“The agreement made between the HSE and the Private Hospitals Association was that this would be done on a not-for-profit basis; the agreement is for the covering of the costs of the private hospitals,” Varadkar said.

Contract issues

O’Sullivan, who is now a temporary HSE employee after signing the contract, said he has had to cancel his own patients until he becomes an independent practitioner again later this this year.

He added: “In the meantime, I will be seeing patients on HSE waiting lists who will be seen based according to need, which I’m very happy to do.

“But it must be realised that this contract was unilaterally imposed upon us by the Department of Health.

“There are other options for consultants for example a Type B or Type C or service level agreement, which many consultants will sign up to in a heartbeat.”

He said consultants are “not being offered this because of the intransigence in the Department of Health”.

“As part of my contract I could be moved to Bantry in the morning because there is a redeployment clause in my contract.

“My ongoing costs are €10,000 per month and I am being paid a public salary of €6,000 per month so I’m actually paying €4,000 to go to work in the morning.

“We would like a service level agreement where we could give our some time to the HSE and work with public patients, but then we’d also like our own time to deal with our own patients and be able to meet the obligations on our own patients,” O’Sullivan said.

At the end of March, it was announced that private hospitals would be made part of the public health system for the duration of the coronavirus pandemic.

Some 2,000 beds, nine laboratories and thousands of staff were drafted into the public system, with Harris stating at the time that “there can be no room for public versus private” when responding to the crisis.

With reporting by Órla Ryan 

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

View 85 comments
Close
85 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute there's a slow train coming
    Favourite there's a slow train coming
    Report
    Apr 27th 2020, 1:04 PM

    Good deal for Denis O’Brien and Larry Goodman

    532
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Teresa Ryan
    Favourite Teresa Ryan
    Report
    Apr 27th 2020, 4:50 PM

    @there’s a slow train coming: Yes, both increased their sharehold in March.

    40
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Andy Dwyer
    Favourite Andy Dwyer
    Report
    Apr 27th 2020, 6:21 PM

    @there’s a slow train coming: The reality is people would be complaining no matter what the government did with the private hospitals. They have taken over the facilities so that they have the capacity to deal with a major surge in cases. The surge did not reach the worst case projections and therefore we pay more per patient/bed.

    If they hadn’t made the deal and there wasn’t enough beds available we’d all be up in arms then.

    I agree the costs are excessive but decisions were made early to add the extra capacity thru private hospitals and save as many lives as possible. Probably the right decision in the long run.

    55
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Teresa Ryan
    Favourite Teresa Ryan
    Report
    Apr 28th 2020, 12:52 AM

    @Andy Dwyer: Gee, they could have waited for the surge before they agreed the115 million. Or better still, taken over the private hospitals and discuss the particulars afterwards.

    Isn’t Godman’s niece married to Simon Harris?

    Man -v- boy.

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute The Risen
    Favourite The Risen
    Report
    Apr 27th 2020, 1:07 PM

    It’s a fabulous deal for Fine Gaels buddies. No fear of billionaires becoming multi millionaires with Leo at the helm.

    Each bed costs the taxpayer FOUR times the amount that the UK government are paying their private hospitals, and that’s with the Torys in power. In other countries, the hospitals have been taken into temporary public ownership, why not here??

    483
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Peter Clancy
    Favourite Peter Clancy
    Report
    Apr 27th 2020, 1:17 PM

    @The Risen: Billionaires becoming multi millionaires?

    SF won’t be happy with you spouting this kind of nonsense on their behalf.

    77
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Diarmuid
    Favourite Diarmuid
    Report
    Apr 27th 2020, 1:18 PM

    @The Risen: Jaysus, 10 minutes your comment has been up without David Glynn going on one of his lunatic rants. Must have dropped his smartphone down the toilet.

    142
    See 17 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute ThatLJD
    Favourite ThatLJD
    Report
    Apr 27th 2020, 1:19 PM

    @Diarmuid: did you not hear, his train was spotted near his resort in Carlow!!!

    44
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Peter Denham
    Favourite Peter Denham
    Report
    Apr 27th 2020, 1:26 PM

    @Peter Clancy: Just think about what he said nice and slow Peter, it might click with you eventually.

    48
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Glynn
    Favourite David Glynn
    Report
    Apr 27th 2020, 1:28 PM

    @The Risen: Kept the head low for a while. This should get you hundreds of bought likes. Have the cult nationalised the private hospitals up north. This is a partnership with the State. You can’t force private consultants to work. One disgruntled consultant comes out and you jump on the bandwagon.
    Against everything the government does.Mary Lou ‘s own lord haw haw.

    49
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Diarmuid
    Favourite Diarmuid
    Report
    Apr 27th 2020, 1:32 PM

    @David Glynn: hahaha 21 minutes. You’re getting rusty davie

    102
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Glynn
    Favourite David Glynn
    Report
    Apr 27th 2020, 1:32 PM

    @Diarmuid: Enjoying the sun.Unlike the richest party / cult I don’t have paid for alerts or paid for ticks.
    You lot usually hate private consultants. So why trust one maverick.

    32
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Colette Kearns
    Favourite Colette Kearns
    Report
    Apr 27th 2020, 1:32 PM

    @Peter Clancy: It looks like you don’t understand what he’s saying!

    45
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Logan Shepherd
    Favourite Logan Shepherd
    Report
    Apr 27th 2020, 1:33 PM

    @David Glynn: Little boy blue, come blow your horn.
    The peeps are inside cause Simon did warn.
    Where is poor Leo, who looks after the peeps.
    He’s under an illusion, fast asleep.
    Will I wake him, oh no not I.
    For if I do, I’m sure he’ll cry.

    68
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Glynn
    Favourite David Glynn
    Report
    Apr 27th 2020, 1:47 PM

    @Logan Shepherd: That your best.

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Charles Alexander
    Favourite Charles Alexander
    Report
    Apr 27th 2020, 1:50 PM

    @Diarmuid: he commented on an earlier article – not one reference to SF, the north or cults of any description.
    In fact, his comment made a lot of sense – I had to double check the name but yes, it was David Glynn.
    Now, it was before 12:00 so I will allow you to draw your own conclusions.

    36
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Logan Shepherd
    Favourite Logan Shepherd
    Report
    Apr 27th 2020, 1:53 PM

    @David Glynn: On the Journal, a poster named David, had a mission to go out and save it. Save what you do cry. The govs rep I reply. He didn’t of course, he just shaved it.

    35
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Charles Alexander
    Favourite Charles Alexander
    Report
    Apr 27th 2020, 1:53 PM

    @Charles Alexander: I spoke too soon.
    Ah well!

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Glynn
    Favourite David Glynn
    Report
    Apr 27th 2020, 2:06 PM

    @ThatLJD: Why do all you SF hacks/ cultists have Twitter accounts to become posters and no followers.
    Jesus the Risible risen can attract 600 to 1000 of ( paid for/organized ticks ) approvals.
    Strange that.
    All goosestepping together.

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Glynn
    Favourite David Glynn
    Report
    Apr 27th 2020, 2:09 PM

    @Charles Alexander: I comment on everything. Its useful to think critically. Try it sometime.

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute ThatLJD
    Favourite ThatLJD
    Report
    Apr 27th 2020, 2:10 PM

    @David Glynn: ha ha not really David, I admire your terrier like tenacity, I think you’ll find I often disagree with The Risen. Have you ever seen us together, ah ha, we must be the same person, or not! I was more suggesting that your absence was noted, and much like Kim Jong Un, I knew you were alright as heard rumours of your train by your resort. Or do you prefer call it a compound, they called Waco a compound, so maybe!

    27
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute ThatLJD
    Favourite ThatLJD
    Report
    Apr 27th 2020, 2:25 PM

    @David Glynn: I also invite you to follow me on twitter if you please. The silence might do you good. I don’t get people’s desire to check out people’s details on social media. Is it so they can get more personal on their comments who knows! I was an avid user of social media and then realised it took up a large proportion of my time I could be using to eat fresh marjoram in my garden. I haven’t looked back since, only the rare occasion I have been overconfident with a fart!

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Charles Alexander
    Favourite Charles Alexander
    Report
    Apr 27th 2020, 2:25 PM

    @David Glynn: I do David but not as obsessively as your good self and not as often. Even in a lockdown, I have better things to do.
    When I do, i try to keep it constructive and refrain from personal attacks concerning a commenters political persuasions – it assists in keeping the conversion going.
    Try it sometime.

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dermo Adams
    Favourite Dermo Adams
    Report
    Apr 27th 2020, 2:28 PM

    @David Glynn: Poor david. can’t work out why shinners have the most popular comments when sinn fein are the most popular party lol!

    28
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute The Guru
    Favourite The Guru
    Report
    Apr 27th 2020, 1:07 PM

    A deal made by the Government that benefits billionaires at the expense of the taxpayer? In Ireland? Surely not…

    310
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Niall Moonan
    Favourite Niall Moonan
    Report
    Apr 27th 2020, 1:07 PM

    When did FG ever do a good deal for the tax payer, they must always look after their rich friends.
    €44000 per bed here while in England they are paying €13000 per bed.

    244
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Wreck Tangle
    Favourite Wreck Tangle
    Report
    Apr 27th 2020, 1:14 PM

    @Niall Moonan:

    You mean the same England that has staff walking round in bin bags and told Europe it didn’t need ventilators??

    93
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Andy Dwyer
    Favourite Andy Dwyer
    Report
    Apr 27th 2020, 6:17 PM

    @Niall Moonan: It is stated in the article that it is €24,000 per patient per episode. That is regardless of how long they require in the facility. Expensive yes but worth it if it saves peoples lives.

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Shakka1244
    Favourite Shakka1244
    Report
    Apr 27th 2020, 1:08 PM

    Speaking earlier this month, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said the €115 million estimated cost of the deal “may be right or it may be wrong“.

    “It is an accurate estimate but it is not necessarily what the actual cost will be because we will not know that until the end, when the costs are calculated.”

    So basically, we will pay whatever Dinny asks as per usual.

    158
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Wreck Tangle
    Favourite Wreck Tangle
    Report
    Apr 27th 2020, 1:33 PM

    @Shakka1244:

    Wouldn’t hold your breath on this coming below estimate. Civil servants in Ireland have a habit of missing small print. Straight forward tunnel through Dublin becomes one of the most expensive tunnels (per km) ever built. Most expensive children’s hospital inbound and let’s not talk about the printer!!!

    130
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Larkin About
    Favourite Larkin About
    Report
    Apr 27th 2020, 1:34 PM

    Did anyone really expect any deal made by fine gael to not involve an obscene amount of public money being shovelled into the portfolios of the 0.00001% ?

    131
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Larkin About
    Favourite Larkin About
    Report
    Apr 27th 2020, 3:25 PM

    @the journal: Thank you

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute martobaby
    Favourite martobaby
    Report
    Apr 27th 2020, 1:10 PM

    A Consultant worrying about the tax payer … what next ?

    98
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Agenda21
    Favourite Agenda21
    Report
    Apr 27th 2020, 2:04 PM

    @martobaby: a ffg troll caring about the taxpayer maybe

    32
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John fitzpatrick
    Favourite John fitzpatrick
    Report
    Apr 27th 2020, 1:06 PM

    Sounds like an over paid consultant having a moan.

    130
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave Nomates
    Favourite Dave Nomates
    Report
    Apr 27th 2020, 1:17 PM

    @Bountyop: Sounds like you don’t know what for profit health care is.

    40
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bountyop
    Favourite Bountyop
    Report
    Apr 27th 2020, 1:19 PM

    @Dave Nomates: I bet I know a lot more than you

    18
    See 4 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Agenda21
    Favourite Agenda21
    Report
    Apr 27th 2020, 1:59 PM

    @John fitzpatrick: are you for real you fooking troll.. Keep your twisted paid for opinion to your selp thanks

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Agenda21
    Favourite Agenda21
    Report
    Apr 27th 2020, 2:03 PM

    @Agenda21: self

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eugene Comaskey
    Favourite Eugene Comaskey
    Report
    Apr 27th 2020, 6:40 PM

    @John fitzpatrick: With the figures given by him there He’s definitely not overpaid. I know the hours these people put in and their commitments, so not overpaid.

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John fitzpatrick
    Favourite John fitzpatrick
    Report
    Apr 27th 2020, 9:45 PM

    @Agenda21: appropriate name there. Agenda. Paid for. I wish but then again that’s the default. Disagree or have another opinion and your a troll or a bot and usually call so in a one sentence reply. Rock on with your meaningful responses. You hurt me , really you did.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Agenda21
    Favourite Agenda21
    Report
    Apr 27th 2020, 1:19 PM

    FFG are a bad deal for the taxpayer

    115
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brian Purcell
    Favourite Brian Purcell
    Report
    Apr 27th 2020, 1:25 PM

    This just reinforces what’s bad about a possible future FFG unity Government. Before covid 19 virus I thought the idea of another election would be a bad idea, but carrying on regardless with FFG post Covid 19 seem to be a seriously depressing thought – time for a new election

    88
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Wreck Tangle
    Favourite Wreck Tangle
    Report
    Apr 27th 2020, 1:08 PM

    Doesn’t need a consultant to tell us that.. However, it’s a sellers market.. Government needed capacity quick and those offering capacity can name their price!

    45
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute The Risen
    Favourite The Risen
    Report
    Apr 27th 2020, 1:15 PM

    @Wreck Tangle: Nope. Temporary public ownership, like other countries have done, is the cost effective way to do it.

    121
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Wreck Tangle
    Favourite Wreck Tangle
    Report
    Apr 27th 2020, 1:21 PM

    @The Risen:

    Just because it has happened elsewhere doesn’t make it right! These are privately owned buildings created with private wealth.

    36
    See 20 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute The Risen
    Favourite The Risen
    Report
    Apr 27th 2020, 1:23 PM

    @Wreck Tangle: Ah yes, protect billionaire wealth ahead of the common good. Just like FF/FG did when they put banker debt on all our backs. And they got away with it thanks to attitudes like yours.

    77
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Wreck Tangle
    Favourite Wreck Tangle
    Report
    Apr 27th 2020, 1:30 PM

    @The Risen:

    It’s not the point of protecting anyone. It’s terrible value for money, the owners should be ashamed of themselves but the point is Ireland is not a communist state.

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute The Risen
    Favourite The Risen
    Report
    Apr 27th 2020, 1:36 PM

    @Wreck Tangle: It’s being done in other capitalist states, communism has nothing to do with it. Silly goose.

    46
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Wreck Tangle
    Favourite Wreck Tangle
    Report
    Apr 27th 2020, 1:38 PM

    @The Risen:

    Again, just because it’s done elsewhere doesn’t make it right or legal.. Government says, this hospital is now ours. Owner says no it’s not.. Goes to court, presumably wins.. Then what??

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute The Guru
    Favourite The Guru
    Report
    Apr 27th 2020, 1:38 PM

    @Wreck Tangle: yeah it would be like the Government dipping into people’s private pension savings when times got tough. That would never hap…oh wait

    56
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan Dillon
    Favourite Alan Dillon
    Report
    Apr 27th 2020, 1:39 PM

    @Wreck Tangle: Subsidised by tax breaks at the expense of the taxpayers and funded by tax exiles more like.

    36
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Wreck Tangle
    Favourite Wreck Tangle
    Report
    Apr 27th 2020, 1:41 PM

    @The Guru:

    Did your mother never teach you that two wrongs don’t make a right?

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Glynn
    Favourite David Glynn
    Report
    Apr 27th 2020, 1:41 PM

    @The Risen: How do you what is the cost effective way .Now you are an economist. Is the cult managing its 40 properties tlo the most benificial effect ?
    Gynnacologist and Virologist in other postings .
    Is there no end to your ill informed pontificating.
    No problem in taking millions as a will benificiary. Ah sure Joe Cahill was an executor. Some millionaires ok so long as they bequest oodles ofdosh to the cult.

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute We Love Katamari
    Favourite We Love Katamari
    Report
    Apr 27th 2020, 1:44 PM

    @David Glynn: I’m sorry david, we don’t have ur marbles. have u tried the lost and found?

    47
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Wreck Tangle
    Favourite Wreck Tangle
    Report
    Apr 27th 2020, 1:49 PM

    @David Glynn:

    These guys like to regurgitate headlines.. For example: “Spain takes control of hospital beds”. This means that Spain took over the private hospitals and won’t pay a penny. In reality who knows . Perhaps they are being intransparent and paying a bomb. Perhaps they are not planning to pay and at the end of this, providers of private healthcare pull out of Spain. No one here knows but never let fact, truth or reality get in the way of the SF brigade!

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Glynn
    Favourite David Glynn
    Report
    Apr 27th 2020, 1:52 PM

    @We Love Katamari: people have been known to escape from cults. Never a lost cause. Still hope for you.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute We Love Katamari
    Favourite We Love Katamari
    Report
    Apr 27th 2020, 1:59 PM

    @David Glynn: cult member = anyone who doesnt have his head buried up leos ass like you do

    30
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Glynn
    Favourite David Glynn
    Report
    Apr 27th 2020, 2:00 PM

    @The Risen: lets start by requisit
    ining 38 of your 40 properties. We’ll leave you 2 of the 4 hqs. All privately owned unlike other parties who lease their local offices. Always start with the rich.
    We could move out all the 5o k o Snodaigh toners and the BOT teams. Store ppe stuff.

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Glynn
    Favourite David Glynn
    Report
    Apr 27th 2020, 2:11 PM

    @Wreck Tangle: Spain are paying. Nothing for free in this world,

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Glynn
    Favourite David Glynn
    Report
    Apr 27th 2020, 2:11 PM

    @We Love Katamari: Yawn. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bramley Hawthorne
    Favourite Bramley Hawthorne
    Report
    Apr 27th 2020, 2:22 PM

    @Wreck Tangle: And subsidised by the citizens.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Liam Edward Harris
    Favourite Liam Edward Harris
    Report
    Apr 27th 2020, 3:24 PM

    @Wreck Tangle: And you’re a private citizen with the right to travel and gather. Or at least you were until we all agreed to come together and make sacrifices for the greater good. Why is it okay to ask us to make sacrifices but not billionaires and large corporations? The government was able to shut down businesses across the country and put people out of jobs that might never come back. Smaller companies might never recover from this and could be gone forever some entire industries might suffer to come back within the decade. But we can’t ask billionaires to sacrifice what would be less than 1% of their net worth? That’s absolute madness. We’re all making sacrifices for this and in relative terms the sacrifices of the average citizen will be far greater than this sacrifice would be for the owners of these hospitals but instead we have to sacrifice and also pay to make sure they can still earn a profit off this crisis

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bren
    Favourite Bren
    Report
    Apr 27th 2020, 4:43 PM

    @Liam Edward Harris: Exactly Liam. Sure look at the most expensive private hospital in the world being built using funds from the most expensive public hospital in the world at James’s.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John fitzpatrick
    Favourite John fitzpatrick
    Report
    Apr 27th 2020, 9:47 PM

    @The Risen: which countries? A full list please and not just Spain and Italy. I said please.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute M Bowe
    Favourite M Bowe
    Report
    Apr 28th 2020, 8:17 AM

    @Wreck Tangle: ‘ created by private wealth’ have a read back over tribunals and see where the wealth of the main players actually accrued!!!!!!

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute nelliekel
    Favourite nelliekel
    Report
    Apr 27th 2020, 2:17 PM

    This pandemic is a godsend d for fg they still hold purse strings tds and ministers who were basically sacked by the people still ruling the roost, people who were already on waiting lists for years have been now pushed further down the road while beds lay empty, of this pandemic hadn’t happened we would still have 100s laying on trollies in understaffed hospitals, all these problems won’t go away and when fg get back into government they will blow their own trumpet about how they saved us all, yet they are reason hospitals are in state so yeh all tell us how great they ate but take your Rose tinted goggles off and see what’s going on

    55
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Maguire
    Favourite Paul Maguire
    Report
    Apr 27th 2020, 1:54 PM

    It always amazes how the taxpayer in Ireland is ripped off, by a Gov who are in to represent the people and get the best deal for its citizens of the country, so an interest group can be kept happy.

    38
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Liam Edward Harris
    Favourite Liam Edward Harris
    Report
    Apr 27th 2020, 3:02 PM

    It is genuinely fascinating to watch the Irish people trip over themselves to to support their own freedoms getting stripped away for the “greater good” but any mention of billionaires and corporations being asked to make sacrifices and give up their rights in order to help save lives is met with a dogmatic devotion to free market capitalism.

    Hundreds of thousands are out of work through no fault of their own, not able to travel more than half an hour from their house without solid proof that they deserve to and can’t visit relatives. But try to come after less than 1% of DOB’s money and the same people who think we should all be doing our parts suddenly think the government would be going to far. Literally getting more worked up about a billionaire losing an inconsequential sum of money by their standards than your own rights and freedom.

    Absolute lunacy. Even if all of that 115m was earmarked personally for DOB and he lost it he’d still have more money than he could spend in 10 lifetimes while we’re all staring down the greatest economic depression ever. We are a well heeled nation. The Irish must just like being under someone’s bootheel, it seems to be in our nature.

    39
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute We Love Katamari
    Favourite We Love Katamari
    Report
    Apr 27th 2020, 1:12 PM

    another tribunal down the rd for barristers to make a killing on

    84
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mairead Jenkins
    Favourite Mairead Jenkins
    Report
    Apr 27th 2020, 3:05 PM

    It’s not a great deal for the 50% of the population that have private health insurance either. Many of whom have had outpatient appointments cancelled.

    28
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John fitzpatrick
    Favourite John fitzpatrick
    Report
    Apr 27th 2020, 9:52 PM

    @Mairead Jenkins: shshhh , your not allowed have private health care or your a bad guy.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Shazam37
    Favourite Shazam37
    Report
    Apr 27th 2020, 2:04 PM

    The reality is that the vast majority of the Public are not in a position to assess whether the Deal is a good one or not.

    We know that the Irish health service is a mess and that government has pandered to vested interests for decades. That’s how this country is run.

    Is this a good deal? Who knows. It’s born of crisis/catastrophe – not good governance. Rarely are great deals arranged when one side is desperate.

    Well have to wait and see. But I would treat with extreme scepticism anything insiders have to say.

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ger Byrne
    Favourite Ger Byrne
    Report
    Apr 27th 2020, 1:37 PM

    He read the contract in front of him. He signed the contract in front of him. He is now having a moan.

    26
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Toon Army
    Favourite Toon Army
    Report
    Apr 27th 2020, 2:43 PM

    What, Simon Harris wasting taxpayers money? Surely there must be some mistake.

    23
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute brian oconnell
    Favourite brian oconnell
    Report
    Apr 27th 2020, 1:46 PM

    What ongoing costs are covered by the 10000 a month?

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sam Harms
    Favourite Sam Harms
    Report
    Apr 27th 2020, 2:11 PM

    @brian oconnell: medical insurance alone is a few thousand a month

    25
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Teresa Ryan
    Favourite Teresa Ryan
    Report
    Apr 27th 2020, 4:48 PM

    Surely the starting point when taking over the private hospitals is to look at the last year that accounts were filed. For most that was 2018. The combined profits for all the private hospitals did not exceed 30 million euros and some were loss making.

    So why the hell did the government agree to 115 million a month.

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mairead Jenkins
    Favourite Mairead Jenkins
    Report
    Apr 27th 2020, 4:57 PM

    @Teresa Ryan: As I understand it that amount is an estimate- cost basis only and costs have to bd proved..
    But how on earth did they agree to take them over without signing up the 600 consultants too!

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute chihuahua
    Favourite chihuahua
    Report
    Apr 27th 2020, 4:50 PM

    The same voices out defending the squandering of public money. You can bet your bottom dollar not one works in the private sector, the public purse again being abused by over indulgent civil sector pen pushers.

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute paul kelly
    Favourite paul kelly
    Report
    Apr 27th 2020, 5:41 PM

    The public consultants on C contracts will be able to bill but the private ones wont be able to.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute SJF
    Favourite SJF
    Report
    Apr 27th 2020, 4:37 PM

    Duh?

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jack Duffy
    Favourite Jack Duffy
    Report
    Apr 27th 2020, 9:29 PM

    “My ongoing costs are 10,000 per month”. What costs are these I wonder? Genuine question if anyone has the answer

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Siobhan McCarthy
    Favourite Siobhan McCarthy
    Report
    Apr 27th 2020, 9:47 PM

    @Jack Duffy: medical indemnity insurance, the wages of his clerical staff, rent on his clinic rooms, membership to various societies/education for continuous professional development- I’m sure the list goes on

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Whitehead
    Favourite Paul Whitehead
    Report
    Apr 28th 2020, 1:16 AM

    Did Michael Woods negotiate this??

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel

 
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds