Seanad debates
Wednesday, 26 February 2003
Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage.
The provision in the Bill retains this measure. The main purpose of amending the existing provision is to avoid a possibility that the exemption could be availed of by a subsidiary or some other form of associated company of an existing undertaking. This approach is considered desirable in order to remove any possibility of an issue of avoidance arising in the arrangements. As there has not been any indication that an associated company of an existing undertaking was intent on or interested in availing of the exemption, the amendment is most appropriately regarded as a precautionary one. It aims to ensure the exemption will only apply in circumstances where the added value for consumers of private health insurance is a genuine increase in the choice of insurers and greater real competition in the market.
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