Dr. Fergal Lynch:

I thank the Chairman for the opportunity to make a presentation to the joint committee. I am accompanied by Mr. Dermot Ryan, principal officer in the Department's private health insurance unit, as well as by Mr. Eddie O'Reilly and Ms Roisin Cahillane from the private health insurance unit. While I had a prepared statement, it may be more helpful were I to seek to answer a number of the points made earlier this morning, rather than reading a statement.