Taoiseach Enda Kenny has insisted the Government remains committed to implementing universal health care.

He told the Dáil on Wednesday it was taking into account the Economic and Social Research (ESRI) report which urged it to review its proposed model given the potential cost implications.

“The Government remains committed to the ending of a two-tier health system which clearly has inadequacies and inefficiencies in it,’’ he said.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin claimed Mr Kenny would say anything to get elected and cover up something.

“You have made promise after the promise, believing that media management will take care of everything,’’ he added. “And nowhere is this behaviour more manifest, Taoiseach, than in the Government’s abandonment of universal health insurance, the cornerstone of your health philosophy over the past 10 years.’’

Mr Martin asked Mr Kenny how he had got it so wrong and made such a mess.

Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams said the Taoiseach and Government would not listen when told the health reform proposals would not work.