The country's health insurers have launched a stinging attack on the Minister for Health over his handling of the private sector.
They say it'll be virtually impossible for the minister to introduce universal health insurance if he continues hiking charges for private cover.
The four insurers told an Oireachtas committee that changes to income tax, stamp duty and charges for private beds will all have to be passed on to customers.
Our political correspondent Gavan Reilly reports.
