James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)

I move amendment No. 55:

In page 34, to delete lines 1 to 3.

This amendment proposes to delete section 20 which states:

Section 458 of the Act of 1997 is amended, in the Table to that section, in Part 2, by inserting "section 470B" before "section 472".

Amendment No. 56 proposes to delete section 21 which states:

Section 470 of the Act of 1997 is amended, in subsection (1), in the definition of "relievable amount"—

(a) in paragraph (a), by inserting "reduced by the amount of credit due (if any) under section 470B(4)" after "amount of the payment", and

(b) in paragraph (b), by inserting "reduced by the amount of credit due (if any) under section 470B(4)" after "referable to such reimbursement or discharge".

My party opposes the insurance levy because we are of the view that it has increased and will continue to increase the cost of insurance. It is pushing younger people out of the market, the very customers the Minister seeks to retain in order to pay for the insurance needs of the older generation. I will not get political about the current recession but there is no doubt that fewer people are now in a position to afford health insurance. This measure is the nail in the coffin for many families who have tried desperately to continue paying their premia. People are desperate to retain their insurance because they have lost faith in the public health service to deliver timely and efficient care. That lack of confidence arises from the manner in which the service has been managed, which is primarily a matter for the Minister.

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