Sinn Féin has launched a new health policy they say will deliver free GP care, free prescription drugs and the abolition of hospital charges.

It will cost taxpayers more than €9bn over five years.

The party says there is no 'gimmicky silver bullet' to solve the crisis in Ireland's health system, but their plan will deliver a more equal service over 5 to 10 years in Government.

Among the proposals is replacing the spending by private health insurance in public hospitals with taxpayer funds.

Other details include the elimination of the €100 charge in emergency departments, tyhe hiring of 6,600 frontline hal;thcare workers, and making disability services a priority.

Finance Spokesperson Pearse Doherty said: "This is Sinn Féin’s commitment to our health services. It is fully costed and fully achievable. All it requires is political will."

Health spokesperson Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin says they want to end the system of buying your way to healthcare: