James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)

The House has been informed the legislation will only apply for three years. Deputies were also informed that the VHI would be authorised by 1 January and, thereafter, 1 March. The most recent date we have been given is 1 September. We have little faith in the ability of the Government to adhere to the initial timeframes it expresses, often with a view to bringing this side of the House with it.

The Fine Gael Party staunchly supports the VHI, a company that has served many people very well and has been an integral part of the health service since its establishment more than 50 years. We also fully support the concept of community rating. Let there be no confusion on that issue. The problems my party have are with the manner in which risk equalisation is being introduced, the extent of the levies and manner in which they have come about as well as the decision to take a soft option rather than addressing the substantive issue, namely, the requirement to establish proper support for community rating to allow the system to work as opposed to putting the issue on the long finger.

Other countries have managed to introduce community rating. The Minister referred to TheEconomist. She is also correct that no system is 100% perfect. A perfect system will not emerge anywhere but we can strive for a major improvement by examining the models in place in other countries where levels of equality are much greater.

The Minister referred to the late Susie Long. We still do not have equality, which is not a matter of precluding those who have done well in life from using their money to add comfort to their medical care but one of ensuring that everyone has access to basic standards of medical care with which everyone can be satisfied in terms of securing timely access to life-saving and life-altering treatments which make the difference between longevity and not achieving one's full potential. My amendments address the core of my disagreement with the Bill and I will stand over them.

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