Mr. Liam Sloyan:

We spoke about normal insurance practices, such as no-claims bonuses, etc. The health insurance market is structured in a way that is very different to other insurance markets. A no-claims bonus would effectively be a benefit to healthier people but in the health insurance market the principle is that everybody pays the same, regardless of state of health or age. As it is structured that way, normal practices in insurance markets would not apply. With regard to the number of pending claims, our role relates to health insurance consumers and not arrangements between hospitals and insurers. It is a matter for the HSE and hospitals to ensure they get prompt payment with claims in accordance with rules.