Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I really want to get on to this point because this drives me berserk. There has been a 56% increase in the cost of private health insurance in the past five years. I have not been in hospital once in those five years, yet my premium has gone through the roof. There will be people at home tonight struggling to make a decision about health insurance. Someone telephoned me last night because the VHI received a bill for €48,000 for a hospital stay. This person is wondering whether to keep it going. That is my point. I am not being personal.