Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

In his reply the Minister spoke about no urgency of address, and suggested we have up to ten years at least to address the substantive argument in Deputy Kelleher's amendment. This is not the case. People are not prepared to buy a pig in a poke. I am no advocate for private health insurance, as I have made very clear time after time, and nor am I a supporter of universal health insurance. I am an advocate for universal health care. I have no doubt in my mind that a 36 year old, on the basis of what the Minister said, would decide he or she was being asked to buy a pig in a poke. The penalty will apply. It is not much good saying we will examine it in two years time, in 2017, and at some point in time along the years subsequently. It will be a disincentive, and of this there is no doubt in my mind, for those who are well past their 35th year and even for those close to that age bracket. Clarity is required and certainty is the only assurance. The methodology suggested by Deputy Kelleher is, to my mind, the only one that stands the test. There it is; I recognise the Bill is a requirement and I will support it. I am not an advocate but I understand this is the reality in which we are, and so I support the thrust of what the Minister seeks to achieve. This amendment is worthy of serious consideration and for all the right reasons, which are to be clear to potential new insurance purchasers and not to be a disincentive, as I believe the current arrangement provided in the Bill most certainly will be.

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