The Minister of State for Health, Mr Brian Lenihan, blamed "vested interests" for some of the problems in the health services.
He said that the warm public response to the Tánaiste's decision to take the health portfolio was a reflection of the fact that the public recognised that the entirety of the problem in health was not exclusively due to the allocation of money.
"It is also bound up with the considerable number of vested interests that have come barnacle-like to this particular rock down the years."
He welcomed support from Mr Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (SF, Cavan-Monaghan) for "these difficult negotiations which have to be embarked on with the senior branch of the medical profession". He was speaking during a debate on a Private Members' health motion signed by the Independents Dr Jerry Cowley, Mr Tony Gregory, Mr James Breen, Mr Paudge Connolly, Mr Séamus Healy, Mr Finian McGrath, Mr Paddy McHugh, Ms Marian Harkin and the Socialist Party deputy, Mr Joe Higgins.
The motion, calling for extensive reform of the "two-tier" health system, will be voted on tonight. Dr Cowley said that "medical apartheid" existed in the State. In heated exchanges with Mr Lenihan, Mr Breen, who represents Clare, called for a better deal for Ennis hospital.
