Critics say health insurance policy is unjust
The Irish Cancer Society has called the country’s health insurance system unacceptable.
The organisation has strongly criticised the fact that private health insurance patients get treatment more quickly than those who do not have any.
According to the society, Ireland's two-tier health service has weighed against people who are forced to rely on the public hospital system, which is beset by poor facilities and long waiting times.
A recent survey shows GPs have problems referring cancer patients because there is no agreed criteria for high risk or suspected cancer cases.
John McCormack of the Irish Cancer Society said: "Cancer rates are actually higher for those who don't actually have medical insurance because they have higher rates of smoking and poorer health behaviours.
"So it’s really important that we eliminate those differences between different groups of people."
