James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

However, it will be independent and will protect the consumer, define the standard policy to be available and monitor very closely any products created by the insurance companies to ensure there is no attempt at cherry-picking and segmenting in the market. By that I mean trying to encourage younger people into certain products and to discourage older people. I would be the first to accept that we need to beef it up.

I emphasise there will be competing insurers, with at least one public in the new arrangements. Ultimately the amendment has no relevance to the Bill, which relates to the current market and to those who chose to have private health insurance. It does not relate to the future universal health insurance system that we plan. The paper on universal health insurance will be available later this month as promised. As the amendment is not relevant to the Bill I decline to accept it.

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