Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

I welcome the publication of the Competition Authority's report on competition in the health insurance market and the Health Insurance Authority's companion report published last Friday.

The Competition Authority report makes 16 recommendations. Several are of a very technical nature and require further consideration by the Department and the Health Insurance Authority. Many of the recommendations that require action on my part will be included in the VHI Bill, which I hope to have published before Easter. I fully accept the recommendations designed to increase consumer awareness and to make it easier for consumers to switch from one insurance provider to another.

I have repeatedly restated the Government's commitment to maintaining community rating in the market and to promoting greater competition. I also want to ensure that the regulatory framework does not place unnecessary obstacles in the way of companies seeking to enter the market. For that reason, I have appointed a market review group to examine the rate of return to be earned in the market and associated issues as quickly as possible. When I receive its report before the end of March, I expect to bring proposals to the Government based on its recommendations and those of the Competition Authority and the Health Insurance Authority.

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