We shouldn't forget that in the long run, there are advantages accruing to all members of society from this.
The problem in Ireland isn't the benefits that some people get from private medical insurance, it's that the public service is so dysfunctional. Look at A&E.
There are disadvantages, as non-insured patients must wait while the consultant prioritises the cash income that they can earn from private patients.
This is well-known, and to be expected.
If you pay consultants a PAYE wage for public work, and also allow them to have private patients, it's obvious that the incentives facing them will lead to delays for the public patients.
Yes, the public system is too slow, that's true as well.