A majority of TDs have called for a special committee to be set up to plan the future of the health service.

89 deputies are signed up for the cross party motion, including all parties except for Fine Gael.

It would see a cross-party committee set up which would hear proposals from experts and deliver a report within six months.

Social Democrat TD Roisin Shorthall has said the committee needs to embrace all politicians and deliver a 10-year plan for the health service.

“It’s (the motion) calling for all of the parties and Independents involved to consider the problems facing us in the area of health,” said Shorthall.

“The fact that there are completely unacceptable waiting lists, the need to insure that we put in place a system that will provide health services to people on the basis of health need rather than ability to pay.”