Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)

I thank Deputies Jan O'Sullivan, Flanagan and Ó Caoláin for their contributions. This Bill has no provisions that direct the VHI towards becoming involved in co-located hospitals. I understand Deputy Jan O'Sullivan had the opportunity, with Deputy Reilly, to speak at length on this issue on Committee Stage, at which point the amendment was opposed on the basis that it would impose an unnecessary qualification on the board following authorisation. In the interim, the VHI has confirmed that the board has no plans to become involved in the operation or ownership of hospitals.

Under section 19 of this Bill there is a limitation on borrowings by the board for purposes other than authorisation. The limit is such that the board, given that its focus will be on building reserves for the purposes of authorisation and, equally, maintaining them for that purpose, would not have the financial capacity to become involved in the ownership of any hospitals in the foreseeable future. The board's interest at this time is in the non-acute SwiftCare clinics, the locations of which are best left to VHI management. I oppose the amendment that has been moved by Deputy O'Sullivan and supported by Deputies Flanagan and Ó Caoláin.

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