Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

At the outset the Minister stated that he has consistently raised the issue of health insurance, but I would say he has consistently raised the price of health insurance through his policies. What I cannot understand is the fact that this has been facing the Minister for the past two years. The Health Insurance Authority of Ireland made recommendations to him which he summarily dismissed. For example, there was the issue of non-advance payments, where the authority recommended there should be a reduction in the actual levy and the Minister decided to increase it by €5. It has made some other key policy recommendations which the Minister has also dismissed.

The simple point is that the health insurance market is in crisis. We all know that the reason for the difficulties in the health insurance market is the economic downturn. However, what cannot be explained is the spiralling cost to individuals of private health insurance. The only explanation I can find, which is being borne out by people who have examined the health insurance industry - such as Colm McCarthy in his recent report - is that the policies being pursued by the Minister are adding to the cost of private health insurance. It looks as though more than 90,000 people will stop paying for private health insurance between now and next year. The debt spiral will continue.

See this speech in context