Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This issue comes up. There are few things in the mix. We always have to be aware of competition legislation. This is a private industry and it is also a financial services industry. The Competition Authority, Central Bank and Health Insurance Authority all have a role. There is confusion given there are 300 or 400 plans. Some have an excess; some do not. People like the fact that they can opt for an excess because it reduces their premium if they are willing to pay the first couple of hundred euro. Usually, that is well flagged and sometimes items are not covered.

There are minimum benefits, which every plan has to cover. They are set down in law and the minimum benefits include maternity cover.