Liam Twomey (Wexford, Fine Gael)

Considering the board of the VHI made so many comments during 2006 on the impact of risk equalisation and competition, or the lack thereof, in the Irish private health insurance market, does the Minister not believe it should indicate its planned increases in premiums? It is usually at this time of the year that we are told what they are to be. Given that the board has been saying all along that risk equalisation, medical inflation, the collocation plan and a range of other factors, such as the reserves, have an impact on the cost of premiums, and that 2 million people will be affected next year, would it not be more appropriate for it to make comments on the increases? Some aspects of this matter are outside the Minister's control but quite a few of the health insurance cost drivers are well within her control. In some respects, she has contributed to the costs. Might it not be prudent for the board of the VHI to indicate its planned increases?

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