Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

What the Government has decided to do here is deal with the essence of fairness for every person who takes out private health insurance in order that the Government provides a subsidy in respect of each adult and child up to €600 for every person who takes out private health insurance. Of the 259 plans, many are not available. It also means that every person who wishes to take out private health insurance has the choice. They can have a cheaper or more expensive private health insurance scheme if they wish. Fianna Fáil seems to be saying that we should continue subsidising to a higher level those who make the choice to take out more expensive health insurance schemes. What we have done here is very fair in that every person who takes out private health insurance is subsidised to the limit by the Government. If they wish to take out more expensive private health insurance after that, that is their choice.

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