Brendan Howlin Downplays Cabinet Rift

Brendan howlin downplays cabinet rift

The Public Expenditure Minister has downplayed a rift at Cabinet over the cost of proposals for Universal Health Insurance. Brendan 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 lead to higher taxes and fewer services. Brendan 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