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

We have a quorum. The Minister, being an ex officiomember of the committee, can be counted for the quorum. Apologies have been received from Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin.

I welcome the Minister for Health, Deputy Varadkar, and, from the Department of Health, Ms Patsy Carr, principal officer, and Ms Roisin Cahillane, assistant principal, to discuss the Committee Stage of the Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2015. The Bill was referred to the select sub-committee by the Dáil on 19 November. I invite the Minister to make his opening remarks.