Given the increasing use of health insurance in our society, it is essential that the private health insurance market is properly regulated and monitored. In that regard, I welcome the role of the Health Insurance Authority. It is vital that everyone who wants to avail of health insurance should be able to do so. The principles of community rating, open enrolment and lifetime cover should be strongly adhered to at all times. Furthermore, for the Health Insurance Authority to be effective it is essential that it is brought into line with other independent regulators. There has to be a level playing pitch. Accordingly, I welcome the provision of immunity from damages in the context of the good faith statutory discharge of its functions enshrined in section 2.