Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)

I am pleased to have the opportunity to speak on this Bill and listen to the contributions of speakers. Health has been a big issue in recent weeks. Health insurance and people's concerns about health care are very important issues. This Second Stage debate provides an opportunity for Members to express what in many cases are strong views.

VHI was founded some time ago and could be regarded as a success story. However, competition is good for all organisations. I note the takeover of BUPA Ireland by the Quinn Group and the arrival into the market of Vivas Health. BUPA Ireland employed a large number of staff in Fermoy. There was outrage when it left the town and the health care business but I am glad the Quinn Group took it over and maintained the competition. The chief executive officer of Vivas Health is Mr. Oliver Tattan who is from my part of the world. He is a man who should be listened to and holds strong views. He has much to contribute to the area of health insurance. Those three companies are involved in the health insurance market. I hope this will mean increased competition for the benefit of ordinary consumers, those who pay their weekly, monthly or yearly subscriptions to these companies. It is important the consumer receives a return for his or her subscription payment.

The two-tier health system is of major concern. The case of Susie Long provided an insight into what was really happening in this regard. Those with private health insurance cover who have attended private hospitals are very satisfied with the waiting time for treatment and the service they receive. As a society which wants to be fair to everybody, we have a duty to provide health care, whether through a system of health insurance or some other system available to people across the State on an equal basis. This is most important.

Other significant issues include minimum cover for inpatients, day care treatment, maternity benefit, and convalescent and psychiatric treatment, all crucial aspects of health care. People often purchase private health care insurance in order to get cover for serious illness, as they feel they cannot rely on our two-tier health system. It is absolutely imperative that any changes we make to our health insurance system do not impact negatively on any of these vital areas. That is most important from the point of view of consumers who are dependent on health care.

People are extremely vulnerable when in need of health care. It is important that they are allowed to get adequate health cover in order to not add to their woes when they are sick. It is vitally important that we ensure healthy and vibrant competition in the health insurance industry. Many expressed their concerns to me when BUPA decided to leave the health insurance market. They felt they had got value for money from it and feared they would not get the same deal from another company. Competition is the lifeblood of trade. The acquisition of BUPA by the Quinn Group allowed this important competition to continue and we must ensure this remains the case.

There has been a lack of debate about how the private health insurance market operates and what should be its future direction. Let us remember what happened in Shannon Airport re Aer Lingus and how it forgot the people of the region. In making changes to VHI, we should ensure the company looks after its customers better than Aer Lingus looked after the people who helped keep it going over many years. It may be a wild comparison but it is a fact that Aer Lingus turned its back on the people of the Shannon region who supported it. The Minister should give a clear guarantee in passing this legislation that customers, many of whom pay a substantial amount of hard earned money to VHI, will be looked after.

Audiology appointments in south Tipperary take over two and a half years, unless a patient pays for private treatment. This is unacceptable and we cannot allow such a situation to continue. We should not tolerate such waiting lists for health care. VHI reserves its right to be bulked up but the European Union will not stand over the current situation. If things go wrong for VHI, patients will have no recourse. Policyholders must be given a guarantee and be protected in every way possible. Other countries such as Canada manage private health insurance in a different way and the system there appears to run efficiently. We should investigate these systems before we rush into emergency legislation to alter how VHI operates.

I am concerned about many other aspects of VHI and health care in general, but the consumer is the most important person in all of this. I seek an assurance from the Minister that he or she will be looked after in the legislation.

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